DAVAO CITY – Eight political parties expected to participate in the first 2025 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) convened here on March 18 in a forum organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), with the support of the United Kingdom (UK) government, to ensure a fair, transparent, and honest regional electoral exercise.
POLITICAL parties expected to join the first 2025 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) discuss their platforms before the media during a gathering on March 18 in Davao City. (Ivy Tejano)
They were the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); Bangsamoro Peoples Party (BPP) led by former lawmakers and officials of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; Bangsamoro Party (BaPa) affiliated with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under the Muslimin Sema faction; Rayyat Development Party (RDP) led by Minister of Parliament Jose Lorena;
Al-Ittihad Mindanawe Darussalam-Ungaya Ku Kawagibu Bangsamoro headed by TESDA Director-General Secretary Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu, with support from MILF Salamat-Wing chairman Aleem Abdulfatah Delna and MNLF Sani-Wing head Prof. Punduma Sani; Serbisyong Inklusibo-Alyansang Progresibo (SIAP) headed by Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. in alliance with Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra and the municipal mayors in the province; Mahardika affiliated with the MNLF-Nur Misuari faction, and Indigenous Peoples Democratic Party (IPDP) composed mostly of T’durays and other Indigenous Peoples’ communities in the BARMM chaired by Minister of Parliament Froilyn Mendoza.
Dubbed “Defending Election Integrity in the BARMM,” Mahid Rachman, WFD Bangsamoro senior programme coordinator, said the forum seeks to deepen the understanding of political parties of their significant role and responsibilities in catalyzing citizens in the political and electoral system.
In a video message, Deputy British Ambassador to the Philippines Alistair White underscored the vital role that political parties play in democracy. He said he fairly believes in the transformational power of political parties reinforced by what he observed worldwide.
These political parties is optimistic about the success of the parliamentary election during the roundtable discussion. No formal treaty have been signed among the political parties but organizers are confident that the forum contributed to achieving the objective.
Lawyer Faisal Cali, legal counsel of the Serbisyo Inklusibo-Alyansang Progresibo, said the political party is adhering to the mandates of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code. He added that part of their program is to educate people in the election process and ensure all sectors will participate.
United Bangsamoro Justice Party spokesperson Engr. Mohajirin Ali said the MILF’s political party is a result of the peace agreement they signed with the Government of the Philippines, and this is a manifestation of their oath to shift the struggle from armed conflict to a democratic process.
“People could see it. We are currently the lead government of the day. We have started so much in terms of establishing the government and at the same time delivering the various needs of our people in terms of services,” Ali said.
He added that if given the opportunity again in the elections, the political party would complete what they had started, especially on the foundation of the bureaucracy and the establishment of the BARMM.
MP Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., secretary-general of the Bangsamoro People's Party, urged more political parties to be part of the parliamentary because this is the essence of proportional representation as mentioned in Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
“We believed that bringing young people in governance and everyone in government will bring healthy governance in the BARMM,” Mitmug said, as he also assured that people could reach out to their party if they have queries and clarifications.
MP Lawyer Omar Yasser Sema, deputy secretary-general and spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Party, emphasized that they want the first parliamentary elections to be successful, win or lose.
“It is difficult to make a statement on how to defend the integrity of the elections in BARMM, considering the history of violence and election malpractice. It is a task that is greater than the political parties, but we are obliged to ensure the elections in 2025 will be successful,” Sema said.
Nadia Lorena, spokesperson for the Rayaat Democratic Party, said they are committed to the execution of the normalization and honesty concerning the demobilization of private armies and the ample decommissioning of the MILF combatants and the weapons before the elections.
“We expect that the first Bangsamoro Parliament election will be free, honest, credible, and truly democratic with voters’ voting for their choice of candidates with no fear or being intimidated,” Lorena said.
Deonato Mokudef, secretary-general of the Indigenous Peoples Democratic Party, said all sectors must commit to conducting a fair, transparent, and honest election and must avoid any harmful practices often used in the past.
“The first BARMM election is not just about the elections of Maguindanaons, Maranaos, Iranuns, or any ethnic groups. Rather, this election is a drive for change for the future generations of the Bangsamoro people,” Mokudef said.
Nur-Ainee Lim, representative of the Mahardika Party, said the party is advocating for a tripartite federalism system of government, and they hoped that next year’s election would be a step closer to realizing the Bangsamoro people's dream of correcting historical injustices.
“We hope that through the political exercise of democracy, we’ll move forward carrying with us the lessons learned and the experience from history to serve the Bangsamoro region with integrity, honesty, and upholding the dignity of our people,” Lim said.
Lawyer Badrodin Mangindra, legal officer and regional public relations officer of the Al-Ittihad Mindanawe Darussalam-Ungya Ku Kawagibu Bangsamoro, said they will work for socio-economic empowerment through “a convergence council.”
“Our dream is that time will come when nobody will ever fight for political positions anymore. Like Malaysia and our neighboring countries, everyone will be busy in their respective industries and professions,” Mangindra said.
In the elections, the Bangsamoro people will vote for leaders who will represent them in the 80-member parliament composed of 50 percent party representatives (40 members), 40 percent district representatives (32 members), and 10 percent sectoral representatives (eight members).