President Marcos is determined to fulfill all government commitments under signed peace agreements with former rebel groups, with the formal completion of the Cordillera peace process and the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections among his administration's immediate priorities, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said on Tuesday, July 28.

OPAPRU Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento said Marcos' fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) showed that the administration is now focused on carrying out the government's commitments under existing peace agreements.

“The President has made it clear in his SONA this year that he is committed, more than ever, to fully comply with the deliverables of the government under all signed peace accords with various rebel groups,” Sarmiento said.

One of Marcos’ major announcements during his SONA on July 27 was the planned formal completion of the government's peace agreement with the Cordillera Bodong Administration and Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA).

“A long but worthwhile 15 years since its signing, we are now ready to formalize a historic completion of the government's peace pact with the CBA-CPLA,” Marcos said in his address.

The CBA-CPLA peace process began with the 1986 Mt. Data Peace Accord, also known as Sipat, which ended armed hostilities in the Cordillera.

A 2011 memorandum of agreement initiated the group's decommissioning and development programs, while a recently signed Substantial Compliance Agreement (SCA) cleared the way for the formal conclusion of the peace process.

“The SCA brings the 1986 Mt. Data Peace Process closer to its formal conclusion after nearly four decades. This reflects the President's policy that peace agreements must lead to concrete results and not just remain as unfinished commitments,” Sarmiento said.

The peace adviser added that the administration intends to honor its commitments to all groups that have chosen negotiations over armed struggle.

He underscored that the national government also remains committed to completing its obligations under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the peace process with Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas – Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), now called KAPATIRAN, through reintegration and development programs.

“By pursuing substantial compliance and formal closure, the administration strengthens public trust, upholds the credibility of the government, and provides a solid foundation for sustainable peace and inclusive development,” Sarmiento said.

“Under the administration of President Marcos, peace is measured not by the signing of agreements alone, but by faithfully implementing commitments, achieving substantial compliance, and bringing every peace process to a credible and lasting conclusion,” he added.

Sarmiento also cited the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Sept. 14 as another key peace milestone.

In his SONA, Marcos said Republic Act No. 12317 has paved the way for the region's first parliamentary polls.

“In accordance with Republic Act No. 12317, the BARMM electorate is now poised to take part in BARMM's first regular parliamentary elections. This is a critical accomplishment under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro,” the President said.

He also expressed confidence that preparations are in place for the historic vote.

“COMELEC, law enforcement, volunteers, deputized agencies, and all stakeholders are now ready to ensure that this defining political exercise will be peaceful, orderly, and credible,” Marcos said.

Republic Act No. 12317, signed in March 2025, reset the first regular BARMM elections to Sept. 14, 2026 and extended the Bangsamoro transition period.

Sarmiento said Marcos instructed him when he assumed office in April to sustain the gains of the peace process and deepen reconciliation. He said OPAPRU has adopted that directive as its guiding principle in implementing the government's commitments.

“We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to ensure the successful conduct of the first BARMM parliamentary elections this coming September. We are one with the Bangsamoro people in their journey toward achieving a just, lasting, and inclusive peace and development in the region,” he added.