Legarda Welcomes Historic Bangsamoro Vote, Condemns Election Violence

Senator Loren Legarda welcomed the conduct of the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), calling the September 14 vote a historic step in the region’s transition to elected self-governance, while strongly condemning the violence that claimed lives and wounded several people during the elections.

“History was written in the Bangsamoro yesterday. After generations who endured conflict and uncertainty, the people held in their hands the most powerful instrument of democracy—the ballot. Every vote cast carried with it the hopes of a people who have fought long and hard for peace, dignity, and the right to shape their own future,” Legarda said.

Legarda is a co-author and co-sponsor of the measure that became Republic Act No. 12317, which set the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and paved the way for the transition from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to the region’s first elected Parliament. She also served as Co-Chairperson of the Philippine Congress–Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBPF) and Chairperson of its Senate Panel, the institutional mechanism for cooperation and coordination between the Philippine Congress and the Bangsamoro Parliament.

“For many years, the Bangsamoro peace process was carried forward through negotiations, agreements, legislation, and the difficult work of building institutions. The September 14 elections gave the Bangsamoro people the opportunity to choose their leaders under the parliamentary system envisioned for the region. That achievement deserves recognition and protection,” she stressed.

Legarda, however, said the significance of the elections must not diminish the gravity of violence surrounding the vote, with two shooting incidents in Cotabato City that left four people dead and 18 others wounded, according to COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia.

“At the very moment when the Bangsamoro people were exercising their right to choose their leaders, lives were lost and families were left grieving. I condemn these acts in the strongest terms. Walang puwang ang karahasan at pananakot sa isang halalang bunga ng mahabang proseso ng kapayapaan at pagkilala sa karapatan ng Bangsamoro na pamahalaan ang kanilang sariling rehiyon,” Legarda said.

“No political ambition, rivalry, or disagreement can justify violence. The will of the people must be determined by their votes, never by fear, intimidation, or force,” she added.

Legarda called on election authorities and law enforcement agencies to conduct a prompt and credible investigation into the incidents of violence, protect affected communities, and ensure that accountability follows wherever the evidence leads. She likewise urged candidates, political leaders, and their supporters to respect the results and refrain from actions that could further endanger communities or undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

She emphasized that the election marks the beginning of a new and more demanding phase for the Bangsamoro government, as elected leaders take on the responsibility of turning autonomy into effective, accountable, and responsive governance.

“The measure of this historic election will not end when the last ballot is counted. It will be measured by whether communities become safer, whether children have greater opportunities to learn, whether families can build dignified livelihoods, and whether the people of Bangsamoro, regardless of faith, ethnicity, or political affiliation, can see themselves represented in their government,” Legarda said.

Legarda said Congress must remain a committed partner of the elected Bangsamoro Parliament as it builds stronger institutions and delivers responsibilities entrusted to it under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

“We reached this historic moment because generations of Filipinos, especially the Bangsamoro people, chose, again and again, to believe that peace was possible. Some of them did not live to see this election. We honor their sacrifices by protecting what has been built and by ensuring that democracy takes deeper root in the Bangsamoro,” she said.

Legarda also congratulated the newly elected members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, who will carry the distinction and responsibility of serving as the region’s first elected parliamentary leaders. “I congratulate the newly elected members of the Bangsamoro Parliament on the trust and confidence placed in them by the Bangsamoro people. As the first elected leaders of the Parliament, you have the unique opportunity to help shape this new chapter in the region’s history. I trust that they will honor that mandate through principled, inclusive, and responsive leadership,” Legarda said.

“For my part, I will continue to work with the Bangsamoro Parliament and our partners in government to strengthen the institutions of self-governance, advance peace and development, and help build a safer and more prosperous future for the people of the Bangsamoro. The work does not end with this historic election. We must continue it together,” Legarda concluded. (30)

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Legarda, Tinawag na Makasaysayan ang Halalan sa Bangsamoro, Kinondena ang Karahasan

Tinawag ni Senador Loren Legarda na makasaysayang yugto para sa Bangsamoro ang kauna-unahang regular parliamentary elections sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) noong Setyembre 14. Kasabay nito, mariin niyang kinondena ang mga insidente ng karahasan na kumitil ng buhay at ikinasugat ng ilang katao habang ginaganap ang halalan.

“History was written in the Bangsamoro yesterday. After generations who endured conflict and uncertainty, the people held in their hands the most powerful instrument of democracy—the ballot. Every vote cast carried with it the hopes of a people who have fought long and hard for peace, dignity, and the right to shape their own future,” ipinahayag ni Legarda.

Si Legarda ay co-author at co-sponsor ng panukalang naging Republic Act No. 12317, na nagtakda ng unang regular parliamentary elections sa BARMM at nagbigay-daan sa paglipat mula sa Bangsamoro Transition Authority tungo sa unang halal na Parlamento ng rehiyon. Nagsilbi rin siyang Co-Chairperson ng Philippine Congress–Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBPF) at Chairperson ng Senate Panel nito, na nagsisilbing mekanismo para sa koordinasyon at pagtutulungan ng Kongreso at ng Bangsamoro Parliament.

“For many years, the Bangsamoro peace process was carried forward through negotiations, agreements, legislation, and the difficult work of building institutions. The September 14 elections gave the Bansamoro people the opportunity to choose their leaders under the parliamentary system envisioned for the region. That achievement deserves recognition and protection,” diin niya.

Sinabi naman ni Legarda na hindi dapat matabunan ng makasaysayang kahalagahan ng halalan ang mga insidente ng karahasang naganap kasabay nito. Ayon kay COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia, apat ang nasawi at 18 ang nasugatan sa dalawang insidente ng pamamaril sa Cotabato City.

“At the very moment when the Bangsamoro people were exercising their right to choose their leaders, lives were lost and families were left grieving. I condemn these acts in the strongest terms. Walang puwang ang karahasan at pananakot sa isang halalang bunga ng mahabang proseso ng kapayapaan at pagkilala sa karapatan ng Bangsamoro na pamahalaan ang kanilang sariling rehiyon,” ipinahayag ni Legarda.

“No political ambition, rivalry, or disagreement can justify violence. The will of the people must be determined by their votes, never by fear, intimidation, or force,” dagdag niya.

Nanawagan si Legarda sa mga awtoridad sa halalan at mga ahensiya ng pagpapatupad ng batas na agad na imbestigahan ang mga insidente, tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga apektadong komunidad, at panagutin ang sinumang mapatutunayang responsable batay sa ebidensya.

Hinimok din niya ang mga kandidato, lider-politikal, at kanilang mga tagasuporta na igalang ang resulta ng halalan at umiwas sa anumang hakbang na maaaring magdulot pa ng panganib sa mga komunidad o makasira sa tiwala ng publiko sa proseso ng halalan.

Binigyang-diin ni Legarda na simula pa lamang ang halalan ng panibagong yugto para sa pamahalaang Bangsamoro. Nasa mga halal na lider na ngayon ang responsibilidad na gawing maayos, responsable, at tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan ang pamamahala sa ilalim ng awtonomiya.

“The measure of this historic election will not end when the last ballot is counted. It will be measured by whether communities become safer, whether children have greater opportunities to learn, whether families can build dignified livelihoods, and whether the people of Bangsamoro, regardless of faith, ethnicity, or political affiliation, can see themselves represented in their government,” ipinahayag ni Legarda.

Sinabi rin ni Legarda na dapat manatiling katuwang ang Kongreso ng halal na Bangsamoro Parliament sa pagpapatatag ng mga institusyon nito at sa pagtupad sa mga tungkuling itinakda sa ilalim ng Bangsamoro Organic Law.

“We reached this historic moment because generations of Filipinos, especially the Bangsamoro people, chose, again and again, to believe that peace was possible. Some of them did not live to see this election. We honor their sacrifices by protecting what has been built and by ensuring that democracy takes deeper root in the Bangsamoro,” aniya.

Binati rin ni Legarda ang mga bagong halal na miyembro ng Bangsamoro Parliament, na siyang unang mga lider ng Parlamento na direktang pinili ng mga botante sa rehiyon.

“I congratulate the newly elected members of the Bangsamoro Parliament on the trust and confidence placed in them by the Bangsamoro people. As the first elected leaders of the Parliament, you have the unique opportunity to help shape this new chapter in the region’s history. I trust that they will honor that mandate through principled, inclusive, and responsive leadership,” ipinahayag ni Legarda.

“For my part, I will continue to work with the Bangsamoro Parliament and our partners in government to strengthen the institutions of self-governance, advance peace and development, and help build a safer and more prosperous future for the people of the Bangsamoro. The work does not end with this historic election. We must continue it together,” pagtatapos ni Legarda.