BARMM polls ‘experiment’ if parliamentary form fits PH

SENATE PRESIDENT Francis Escudero on Tuesday said the first elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) next year can also be used to test if the parliamentary form of government will work in the Philippines.

“Ito ang unang pinakamalapit na eksperimento sa parliamentary form upang sa gayun makita natin, angkop ba talaga, bagay rin ba iyan, hindi lamang sa BARMM o sa buong Pilipinas (This is the first closest experiment in the parliamentary form so that we can see, is it really appropriate not only for BARMM or the Philippines),” Escudero said in a press conference.

The Philippines is a republic with a presidential form of government wherein power is equally divided among its three branches: executive, legislative and judicial.

“Magandang makita na tumatakbo at umuubra na iyun sa loob ng BARMM na akma at pasok sa kultura at kasaysayan at tradisyon nila (It is good to see that it is running and working within BARMM that fits into their culture, history and tradition),” he added.

Escudero made the remark after Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, along with officials and lawmakers from BARMM, paid him a courtesy call.

The Bangsamoro parliamentary elections set on May 2025 will elect the successors of the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament members.

Escudero said it is about time that BARMM selects their leader who will be accountable and responsible for the first time since BTAP was chosen by the national government.

Last April, three political parties from BARMM -- Bangsamoro People/s Party of Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Al Ittihad-UKB Party stalwart and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu Al Ittihad-UKB Party and the Serbisyong Inklusibo Alyansang Progresibo Party of Lanao del Sur Governor Bombit Adiong formed the Bangsamoro Grand Coalition for the coming polls.

Tan highlighted the importance of the media in elections, urging them to help maintain peace and order in the coming polls.

He said BARMM officials agreed to continue the decommissioning and normalization through the help of the national government.

Escudero clarified that he is not endorsing any candidates but said that with the creation of BGC, he sees a peaceful and honest election.

“Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon kung saka-sakali, pipili ang ating mga kababayan sa BARMM ng kanilang magiging lider at sana, tulad ng sinabi ni Gov. Sakur, bigyang laya ang ating mga kababayan na makapili kung sino talaga ang magiging lider nila para ay accountability, para utang ng mga lider ng BARMM ang kanilang pwesto sa tao at hindi sa sinuman sa nasyonal na pamahalaan (For the first time if ever BARMM residents will choose their leader, just what Gov. Sakur said, give them freedom to choose their leaders for accountability, so that the elected leaders will be indebted to the people, not to anyone from the national government),” he said. (Leonel Abasola)