Bangsamoro MPs laud Marcos support for 2025 polls

Two Bangsamoro lawmakers on Monday lauded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for pushing for the successful holding of the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2025. 

“President Marcos Jr.'s encouragement underscores the significance of this democratic exercise in further advancing the self-determination and self-governance of the Bangsamoro people,” Member of Parliament Amir Mawallil, president of the Bangsamoro People's Party (BPP), said in a press statement. 

“The upcoming elections in 2025 mark another milestone in our journey towards genuine autonomy and empowerment,” Mawallil said. 

Last week,  Marcos Jr. called for the successful holding of the Bangsamoro polls, saying forces outside the democratic processes should not be allowed to "deviate our dreams”. 

"I urge all of you, and we will be by your side, to make this very historic election, this very historical and important event a success. Let us show the world that it is peaceful and it is credible," said Marcos.

"On this, let me be blunt that, perhaps, we must remind ourselves that we are now operating under different rules and that we cannot allow forces outside of the democratic process to deviate our dreams and our aspirations from a democratic process," he said. 

MP Rasol Mitmug Jr., secretary general of the BPP, said the President’s remarks demonstrated his “support for the democratic aspirations of the Bangsamoro people”.

“This serves as a rallying call for unity and cooperation among BARMM leaders, stakeholders and the broader community. It reminds us of the collective responsibility we share in ensuring the integrity, transparency and inclusivity of the electoral process, thereby safeguarding the democratic rights and aspirations of our people,” said Mitmug.

The Bangsamoro Region is currently governed by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), an interim government whose members were appointed by the President.

In March 2023, the BTA passed the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, which will allow democratic participation in the local and regional elections.

It would also open the creation of political parties in the region with representations from women, youth, indigenous people, settler communities, traditional leaders, and the Ulama.

The first-ever election in the Bangsamoro Region was scheduled to be conducted in May 2022 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.—RF, GMA Integrated News