Marcos warns vs. forces outside democratic process ahead of BARMM polls

With the Bangsamoro elections coming up in 2025, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Thursday that forces outside the democratic processes should not be allowed to "deviate our dreams."

"The preparations we have made will be tested in May 2025 when we will hold the very first elections for the BARMM parliament," Marcos said in his speech during the 17th meeting of the national government—Bangsamoro government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) in Pasay City.

"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," he said.

"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," Marcos said.

The President said that Filipinos should not allow even a single voter to be disenfranchised by violence, intimidation, or bribery.

"And after the elections, it will be a new chapter for BARMM. I face the future with optimism. What gives me hope is the belief that you have prepared well, you are ripe, and you are ready," Marcos said.

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

It also paved the way for the creation of political parties in the region with representatives 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. — VDV, GMA Integrated News