The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s assurance that the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will proceed as scheduled on October 13.

OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said Marcos’ commitment underscored the national government’s resolve to fully implement the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and uphold the principles of peace and self-governance in the Bangsamoro region.

“The President's statement is a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to the Bangsamoro peace process,” Galvez said. “It sends a clear message that the national government will not falter in ensuring that the Bangsamoro people can finally exercise their right to elect their own leaders and chart their own destiny.”

Earlier, Marcos had said that he would sign a bill postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections so that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) could focus on the conduct of the BARMM parliamentary elections.

Marcos emphasized that “failed Bangsamoro polls [is] not an option.”

“If that election fails, that will be a big failure in the peace process, that’s why the BARMM elections need to be successful,” he added.

The first parliamentary elections in the BARMM was reset to October 13 from the original date on May 12, coinciding with the midterm elections, when Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12123 in February.

Galvez explained that the wisdom behind the rescheduling was to ensure that focus would be given to the first parliamentary Bangsamoro elections.

Galvez highlighted the significance of the upcoming Bangsamoro polls, emphasizing that the parliamentary elections are the culmination of the Political Track of the CAB.

“This historic event is the fulfillment of our promise to the Bangsamoro people to transition from an appointive government to a truly representative one. The Bangsamoro people will elect their own leaders and hold them accountable,” he said.

The OPAPRU will spearhead a series of information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns for journalists across Mindanao in partnership with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), and the BARMM Information Office to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and credible electoral process.

Galvez said the initiative aims to equip journalists with a deeper understanding of the Bangsamoro peace process, the intricacies of the first parliamentary elections, and protocols for ensuring their safety while covering the polls.

“Journalists play a crucial role in nation-building and in shaping public discourse. It is vital that they are well-equipped to provide accurate, balanced, and in-depth reporting on this historic election,” Galvez said.

“Through our IEC campaign, we aim to not only deepen their knowledge but also to reinforce the importance of media safety and security, particularly in sensitive areas. We are fully committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring the safety of those who report on it,” he added.