Bangsamoro leaders convene for multiparty democracy summit

By PMT Desk

ILIGAN CITY — Ahead of the first ever BARMM Parliamentary Elections in 2025, leaders and representatives of political parties from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) gathered at the COMELEC Main Office in Intramuros, Manila for the Multiparty Democracy Summit – BARMM.

The gathering was co-organized by the Commission on Elections and PARTICIPATE, a non-partisan and pro-democracy coalition, and marks a significant step towards ensuring a peaceful, orderly, and honest electoral process for the upcoming 2025 BARMM Parliamentary Elections.

The Summit is a historic first for the BARMM, serving as a critical platform to orient emerging regional political parties on the salient features of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code Implementing Rules and Regulations (BEC IRR), to discuss and address important issues in the region, and to receive updates from COMELEC on the preparations for the 2025 BARMM Parliamentary Elections. In attendance are the leaders and representatives of 11 regional political parties, officials from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO), and members of the academe, and civil society organizations.

The regional parliamentary political parties in attendance are: (1) United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), (2) Al Ittihad Mindanaw Darussalam-Ungya Ku Kawagibu Bangsamoro (Al Ittihad-UKB), (3) Samahang Inklusibo Alyansang Progresibo (SIAP), (4) Bangsamoro Peoples Party (BPP), (5) Bangsamoro Party (BaPa), (6) Mahardika, (7) Indigenous Peoples Democratic Party (IPDP), (8) Raayat Democratic Party, (9) Progresibong Bangsamoro.

“We stand united in our commitment to uphold the democratic principles that form the foundation of BARMM’s governance and to foster an environment of peace, respect, inclusivity, and integrity,” said Dr. Julio C. Teehankee, PARTICIPATE Chief of Party.

Dr. Teehankee also underscored that the forthcoming BARMM elections are not merely another electoral exercise, rather representing a vital democratic experiment and a potential proof of concept that political reforms are attainable in this country.

“These elections provide us with an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate that a truly democratic and inclusive political system is possible—one that genuinely represents the diverse aspirations of the Bangsamoro people,” he added.

“Ipakita po natin sa buong mundo na iba ang halalan dito sa lugar natin sa Bangsamoro. Ipakita natin na puwede nating gawing maayos, tahimik, kapani-paniwala at katanggap-tanggap ang eleksyon sa Bangsamoro,” said COMELEC Chair George Garcia.

Atty. Maryvynne G. Duag of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code Study Group, discussed in detail the salient points of the BEC IRR, while also highlighting the aspects of the BEC IRR that improves sectoral representation, activity of parties, and penalization of turncoatism.

In preparation for the 2025 BARMM Parliamentary Elections, COMELEC Deputy Executive Director for Operations Atty. Rafael B. Olaño led a demonstration of the use of the Automated Counting Machine (ACM) and provided updates regarding the Commission’s preparatory work for 2025.

The Multiparty Democracy Summit – BARMM was attended by over 30 participants from 11 regional political parties, which is a testament to the collective desire and commitment for peaceful, fair, and transparent electoral process in the Bangsamoro region. (Story from Participate)