3 political parties in BARMM form coalition for 2025 elections

Three major political parties in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have allied to push for an honest, orderly, and peaceful conduct of the first-ever elections in the autonomous region in May 2025.

Composed of the Bangsamoro Peoples Party (BPP), the Al Ittihad-UKB Party, and the Serbisyong Inklusibo Alyansang Progresibo (SIAP) Party, the coalition signed a commitment to their objectives in Makati on Wednesday. 

TESDA Director-General Teng Mangudadatu, a former Sultan Kudarat governor and stalwart of Al Ittihad-UKB Party, said the alliance commits to putting forward the gains of the peace process in the Bangsamoro while promoting peaceful and fair elections.

“As representatives of diverse communities within BARMM, we recognize the importance of solidarity for peace and unity in a region marked by cultural and ethnic diversity,” Mangudadatu said.

“Our alliance stands as a testament to our determination to foster harmony and understanding among all sectors of society, transcending political differences for the greater good of our region,” he added.

Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, a founder and stalwart of the BPP said peaceful elections are the "crest of a democratic society and the culmination of the practice of democracy."

“It is a manifestation of our collective struggle for self-determination and self-governance, wherein every citizen has the right to choose who they want to govern them freely and without fear. It is our duty to safeguard the sacredness of the people's vote and to ensure that the electoral process remains a true expression of the will of the people,” Hataman said.

“It is through the sacredness of the people's vote that we realize our fight for self-determination and self-governance has reaped success,” he added.

In March 2023, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority 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. —Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News