More than 68 million registered Filipino voters will be trooping to polling precincts across the country next week to cast their votes in the midterm elections, which also mark the halfway point of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. 

President Marcos Jr. knows that the nation’s future rests on this crucial political exercise, as he has called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to ensure the peaceful, orderly and credible conduct of the elections.  

This is a major challenge that must be confronted not only by the security sector but by each and every Filipino who believes that the outcome of the mid-term elections will influence the nation’s socioeconomic and sociopolitical course in the next three years. 

In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and its Special Geographic Area, efforts are underway to make sure that the region’s 2.3 million registered voters will be able to cast their votes in a safe and secure environment. 

This is the reason why the Government of the Philippines is working closely with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other peace partners in the BARMM so that the Bangsamoro people can freely and safely exercise their right to vote. 

Last April 29, peace mechanisms of the GPH and MILF forged a Memorandum of Understanding to implement ceasefire-related guidelines that will ensure the peaceful and credible conduct of the upcoming midterm elections.

The partnership, signed by members of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad-Hoc Joint Action Group, is a testament of both parties’ unwavering commitment to safeguard the sanctity of the elections.  

The document entitled “Guidelines for Mutual Understanding for Ceasefire-related Functions,” which was jointly developed by the GPH and MILF, aims to provide clear ceasefire-related protocols to be followed during the election period.

In particular, the guidelines will ensure that the GPH-MILF Agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities are observed and the broader Bangsamoro peace process is upheld during this pivotal time.

In addition, to demonstrate their full and strong support to the guidelines’ implementation, the AFP, PNP, MILF and political parties in the two provinces of Lanao signed a Pledge of Commitment on May 3 at the 103RD Brigade’s Kamp Ranao in Marawi City, and in the 2nd Mechanized Infantry "Magbalantay" Brigade in Iligan City.

On the part of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, we continue to work side by side with our stakeholders in order to build on and sustain the gains of peace in the Bangsamoro even at this critical juncture. 

In partnership with the Commission on Elections, local government units and security forces, we are monitoring emerging developments on the ground so that we can immediately respond to them and prevent the outbreak of violence. 

We understand the dynamics of local politics wherein tensions can quickly rise and conditions can escalate if left unaddressed. Thus, we must make all the candidates and their followers accountable for their actions. No one is above the law. 

We must remember that the election is the democratic process of choosing our leaders. Its conduct must be governed by the principles of honesty, mutual respect and integrity. There is no room for fear, violence or animosity in this political exercise. 

Those who view elections as a divisive activity clearly do not understand the main rationale behind it, and that is, for voters to choose the leaders they rightfully deserve, and by doing so, help build the nation’s future. 

And for the people of the Bangsamoro, the upcoming elections will give them another opportunity to participate in the process of nation-building wherein their vote will determine the pace and scope of the BARMM economic progress and development. 

We believe that the peace process in the Bangsamoro is too valuable and should not in any way be undermined by election-related developments in the region, and most importantly, must be preserved at all cost. 

Ultimately, the success of these midterm elections hinges on the collective commitment to uphold the principles of democracy. A peaceful, orderly, and credible electoral process is not merely a goal, but a fundamental right of every Filipino. It is through these elections that the nation reaffirms its commitment to self-determination and shapes its future trajectory. By ensuring a fair and transparent process, where every vote is counted and respected, we solidify the foundations of our democracy and pave the way for a more prosperous and unified Philippines. Let us all work together to make this vision a reality.

(Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., is the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity.)