Presidential Peace Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to finalize the registration of political parties in the Bangsamoro region, calling it a key step toward inclusive and credible parliamentary elections in 2026.
The Comelec resolution clears the way for regional political groups to participate in the first-ever parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), scheduled on September 14, 2026.
Sarmiento said the development reflects the growing democratic space in the Bangsamoro and aligns with the principles laid out in the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which established the region’s autonomous political framework.
“The registration of regional political parties is a testament to the maturing democratic space in the Bangsamoro,” he said, noting that broader participation will allow residents to play a direct role in shaping their government.
He also underscored the national government’s commitment to non-interference, stressing that the electoral process should remain a regional exercise of self-determination. According to Sarmiento, the government’s role is to support peace and stability while respecting the independence of electoral institutions and BARMM’s autonomy.
The peace adviser emphasized that inclusive political participation is critical to sustaining gains from the peace process, urging stakeholders to ensure orderly and peaceful elections as candidates file their certificates of candidacy and begin campaigning.
The 2026 polls will mark a major milestone in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, completing its political track. Voters will elect the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament for the first time, replacing the current transitional body appointed during the interim period.
Sarmiento said the upcoming elections represent more than a routine political exercise, describing them as a fulfillment of commitments made during peace negotiations to empower communities through democratic means.
“This is about ensuring that the future of the Bangsamoro is decided through ballots, not conflict,” he said.