NEWS
21May
OPAPRU urges calm, unity ahead of 1st BARMM parliamentary elections
- May 21, 2026
- Gandhi Kinjiyo
- HITS: 576
In an official statement issued on Monday, Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Mel Senen Sarmiento emphasized that democracy is inherently dynamic and vibrant. He stressed the importance of preserving regional stability, noting that the electoral process allows political parties to freely present their platforms to the electorate.
Sarmiento appealed to all contending political groups to uphold the rule of law and resolve any disputes through established legal and formal channels to ensure that the hard-earned peace in the Bangsamoro is protected.
He also underscored that the collective focus should remain on achieving a progressive and economically developed BARMM. He noted that regional autonomy and the automatically appropriated block grant were specifically established to empower the Bangsamoro people to chart their own path toward development.
According to the OPAPRU chief, the upcoming September polls will complete the political track under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) as mandated by the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). He described the democratic milestone as a crucial and historic step toward genuine and meaningful autonomy.
Sarmiento encouraged the electorate to participate actively and vote wisely, while urging the public to support the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the security sector in ensuring peaceful, honest, and credible polls under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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