Parties in BARMM grand coalition sign pact on basic principles

Members of the BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC) have signed an agreement outlining the alliance's basic principles and objectives, including its commitment to the implementation of the peace agreements in the Bangsamoro Region. 

Leaders of the BGC including Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong, Jr., Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, and TESDA Director-General Sec. Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu signed the Comprehensive Coalition Agreement (CCA) on behalf of their respective parties on July 23. 

The coalition pact states that BGC is founded on the following:

1. Equity, unity, shared interests, consensus-building, trust and respect between and among the Parties;
2. Unity among key stakeholders is key towards sustainable peace and development;
3. Inclusive governance and development where powers and resources of government must be shared and benefit all LGUs and constituents;
4. Rule of law where public policies on powers, structures and relations of the national, regional and local government units must be in accordance with the Constitution, national and regional laws;
5. Peace and security where the safety of communities in the BARMM is secured by adequate and effective law enforcement;
6. Implementation of peace agreements in step with legal and constitutional reforms and development of institutional capacities of BARMM

The BGC was established in April after the Bangsamoro Peoples' Party (BPP), the Al Ittihad-UKB Party, and the Serbisyong Inklusibo Alyansang Progresibo (SIAP) Party signed a commitment to ally. 

“This only proves that the coalition is borne out of the collective desire of our members to be inclusive and consultative. This is the true essence of democracy, and the BGC is committed to ensuring that the democratic rights of BARMM residents are exercised to the fullest,” Tan said.

Also in April, the BGC signed a framework coalition, which paved the way for the CCA. 

“This contains our unity statement on the most basic of principles of the alliance. We will try to add more as the 2025 BARMM election nears. We hope that more political parties, sectoral groups, and CSOs join our coalition because we stand for equitable representation in the Bangsamoro parliament,” Tan added.  —NB, GMA Integrated News