Senator welcomes first Bangsamoro elections, decries violence
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Senator Loren Legarda of the Philippines welcomed the parliamentary elections held on September 14 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as a historic step toward self-governance for the region.
Legarda co-authored the law establishing the elections and helped facilitate cooperation between the Philippine Congress and the Bangsamoro Parliament. The vote marked the transition from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to a fully elected Parliament, allowing residents to choose their leaders through a parliamentary system.
Legarda also strongly condemned violent incidents that occurred during the election in Cotabato City, where four people died and eighteen were wounded. She asserted that violence has no place in a democratic process built on a long journey toward peace and self-determination. Legarda called on election officials and law enforcement to investigate the attacks and hold those responsible accountable. The senator urged candidates and their supporters to respect the election results and avoid actions that could destabilize communities.
She stated that the success of the election will be measured by improvements in safety, education, livelihoods, and representation for all people in the Bangsamoro region, regardless of their background. Legarda pledged continued support for the Bangsamoro Parliament and its efforts to strengthen self-governance and build a prosperous future.
