Comelec to new BARMM parliament members: Be instruments of peace, justice, progress

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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged the newly elected members of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament to be instruments of peace, justice, and progress that the region has been envisioning, following its first parliamentary elections.

In a statement on Wednesday, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the newly elected members of the BARMM Parliament must prove that they are worthy of the votes they received.

“Sa mga bagong halal na miyembro ng parlyamento: Ipinagkatiwala sa inyo ng mamamayan ang boto nilang pinagbuwisan ng dugo, panahon, at pananampalataya,” Garcia said.

“Nawa’y maging karapat-dapat kayo sa makasaysayang pagkakataong ito, at maging instrumento ng kapayapaan, katarungan, at kaunlarang matagal nang ipinaglalaban ng Bangsamoro,” he added.

(To the newly elected members of the Parliament: The people have entrusted you with their votes, which came at the cost of blood, time, and faith. May you prove worthy of this historic opportunity and become instruments of peace, justice, and progress that the Bangsamoro have long fought for.)

The BARMM held its first parliamentary elections on Monday, September 14, with a final voter turnout of 84.34%.

Garcia pointed out that the final voter turnout reflected the Bangsamoro people’s desire to achieve the long-promised peace in the region.

“84.43% ng mga rehistradong botante ang nag-isang bilang na hindi lamang nagbibigay ng matibay at malinaw na mandato sa mga bagong halal na miyembro ng Parlamento, kundi nagpapatunay na buo ang pagnanais ng Bangsamoro na isabuhay ang pangako ng kasaysayan,” Garcia said.

(The 84.43% voter turnout not only gives the newly elected members of the Parliament a strong and clear mandate, but also demonstrates the Bangsamoro people’s firm desire to fulfill the promise of history.)

The Bangsamoro parliamentary election is part of the region’s peace process, with voters choosing representatives to fill the 80 seats in the Bangsamoro parliament.

It marks a major step in the transition from an interim government through the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to an elected regional administration.

Comelec extended its condolences to families of the fatalities during a shooting incident during the election, and said an investigation will be launched, including the discovery of a pre-shaded ballot in Maluso, Basilan.

“Nagkaroon ng karahasan. Nagkaroon ng pagtatangkang pandaraya. Mariin at walang reserbasyon namin kinukundena ang mga ito. Hindi namin ito palalagpasin,” Garcia said.

(There were incidents of violence and attempts at fraud. We strongly and unequivocally condemn these acts. We will not let these pass.)

“Ipinagdadalamhati namin ang mga nasawi, ipinagdarasal ang mga nasugatan, at lubhang ikinababahala ang napakaraming inilagay ng iilan sa panganib,” he added.

(We mourn those who lost their lives, pray for those who were injured, and are deeply concerned about the many people put at risk by the actions of a few.)

On Tuesday, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the individual behind the pre-shading of ballots in 36 polling precincts in Maluso, Basilan will face electoral sabotage charges that may result in life imprisonment.

Authorities are also identifying the candidates involved in the pre-shaded ballot incidents, as they may face disqualification. — BAP, GMA News