Monitoring group: BARMM polls shall proceed on Sept. 14
MANILA, Philippines — The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) believes that the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections should proceed as scheduled on September 14 this year.
The team said any further postponement may undermine the democratic and peace process in the region.
TPMT made this statement as it launched the 9th public report on the Bangsamoro peace process in New World Hotel in Makati City.
The TPMP is mandated to monitor, review and assess the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement in Bangsamoro (CAB), which was signed by government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The move was meant to end decades-long armed conflicts in Mindanao.
The first parliamentary elections have been postponed four times.
The Commission on Elections earlier reset the latest scheduled polls from its original schedule of March 31, 2026.
The poll body cited legal and operational concerns as the redistricting law passed by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament was still not in effect during that time.
READ: Gov’t, MILF urged to renew peace pact commitment
TPMT chairperson Heino Marius noted that “four postponements are enough,” and that the people of the BARMM should be given their democratic right to choose their leaders.
“Any postponement of these elections will undermine confidence and democratic process, and will undermine confidence in the peace process,” Marius said in a press conference.
TPMT member Karen Tañada echoed Marius’ statements, saying that new round of postponements will cast more doubts among the residents.
“There’s nothing like direct election by the public in choosing their next leaders. For the past years, it’s been more appointments, and it’s not good somehow,” Tañada said in an ambush interview after the launching.
In its report, the TPMT noted that the delayed elections led to the extension of the transition period, as Marcos appointed Abdulraof Macacua as BARMM’s minister chief, replacing Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairperson Ahod Ebrahim.
READ: Stir created as petition filed to block accreditation of MILF pol party
Moreover, when asked how the elections will affect the the peace agreement, Marius noted the participation in the elections of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) as an important feature.
UBJP is the official political party of the MILF.
“One could possibly say it could facilitate future implementation of peace process if they remain to have an important position in the future in the political set-up of the BARMM,” he said.
TPMT member Huseyin Oruc also said that “it would be a very big question mark” if UBJP will not be allowed to participate in the elections.
The party is facing a disqualification petition from a certain Sahabudin Panambulan over alleged violation of the election gun ban, and for reportedly receiving foreign funds.
UBJP spokesperson Mohajirin Ali earlier said that the party already submitted its answer to the petition.
“As long as the rules to the competition are fair, they are allowed to have a chance. If there is no manipulation of the elections itself, then I see no reasons why these elections would lead to further division,” Marius concluded.
The monitoring group called for a fair and credible parliamentary elections.
It is also seeking the holding of an extensive voter education for the residents, which “will be critical in safeguarding the democratic process.” /apl
