‘No election within the Bangsamoro in 2026 means no decommissioning of weapons and combatants, no exit settlement, and plenty of uncertainty,’ says former authorities chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer
MANILA, Philippines – Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday, November 19, warned of the hazards of additional delaying parliamentary elections within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Area in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), urging its interim officers to finalize a schedule for early 2026 to forestall a political vacuum within the area.
Requires a transparent timeline additionally got here from former authorities chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, who warned of a domino impact if the BARMM polls are pushed again too far.
“No election within the Bangsamoro in 2026 means no decommissioning of weapons and combatants, no exit settlement, and plenty of uncertainty,” Coronel-Ferrer mentioned.
She urged the Bangsamoro Parliament to compromise and shortly cross the mandatory redistricting regulation, including, “Could the larger good prevail over self-serving pursuits.”
Talking on the convention “After the Peace Agreements: The Bangsamoro and Past,” Galvez emphasised that whereas a postponement could also be vital to deal with authorized hurdles, the timeline should stay tight.
“We now have to have a unique perspective. It’s actually good to have an election,” Galvez mentioned. “It will likely be a voluntary determination, however we now have to ensure the federal government has elected officers. The longer it takes, the upper the expectations and the upper the dangers will come.”
Galvez mentioned the Workplace of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) is coordinating with the Senate, by way of Senate President Professional Tempore Juan Miguel Zubiri – the principal writer of the Bangsamoro Natural Legislation (BOL) – the Home of Representatives, and the Bangsamoro Parliament to synchronize efforts.
He mentioned the first hurdle is the necessity for a brand new redistricting regulation from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to adjust to a Supreme Court docket determination.
“Really, the President needs readability within the messaging. The federal government relations, the Philippine Congress, and the Bangsamoro Parliament should work collectively,” Galvez mentioned, noting that the BTA is concentrating on the second week of December to cross the measure.
“I requested for the [election] date, and I requested for early 2026,” Galvez added, noting that after the BTA complies with the redistricting requirement, the Fee on Elections (Comelec) can set the election calendar.
At current, 5 payments on parliamentary redistricting have been filed within the area.
In late September, the Supreme Court docket dominated that Bangsamoro Autonomy Acts (BAA) 58 and 77 have been unconstitutional, successfully delaying the area’s first parliamentary elections, scheduled in October.
The SC required the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to finalize the distribution of parliamentary seats, and instructed the Comelec to carry elections no later than March 31, 2026.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia emphasised that except the SC reversed its ruling, it’s instantly executory, and all events should adjust to its circumstances to proceed.
The requires urgency have been made throughout a two-day convention organized by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), OPAPRU, and the Bangsamoro Authorities, with assist from the Australian authorities.
Lawyer Benedicto Bacani, IAG government director, mentioned the essence of peace settlements lies in constructing inclusive establishments.
“In a war-driven peace, the victor oftentimes dictates the phrases. Conversely, in negotiated settlements, there aren’t any winners or losers, solely authentic grievances that should be addressed,” Bacani mentioned.
The convention, attended by greater than 200 members from authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps – together with the Japanese ambassador, who cited the election as “essential” – aimed to navigate the contradictions of peace processes, balancing private entitlements with institutional accountability.
Reflecting on the challenges of the transition, BARMM interim Chief Minister Abdularaof Macacua highlighted the shift required from the Moro Islamic Liberation Entrance (MILF) because it pivots from armed wrestle to governance.
“These [former] rebels have asserted their rights with arms and violence for many of their lives. Now they need to discover ways to assert their rights by way of democracy,” Macacua mentioned.
He acknowledged that whereas constructing establishments is tough, “remodeling mindsets, expectations, and habits formed by a long time of armed wrestle is an excellent larger one.” – Rappler.com
