‘TRUE ESSENCE’ OF PEACE, DEMOCRACY

The people in Barmm now have the freedom to choose their leaders in the 2025 mid-term polls

MANILA – House Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman on Wednesday described the 2025 mid-term elections “true test” of peace and democracy in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).

He made this remark during the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that paved the way for the establishment of the Barmm.

“Ang halalan sa susunod na taon ang tunay na esensya ng kapayapaan at demokrasyang ipinaglaban natin sa Bangsamoro, dahil may kalayaan na ang mamamayan na pumili ng mga taong mamumuno sa rehiyon (The election next year is the true essence of peace and democracy that we pushed in Bangsamoro, because the people now have the freedom to choose their leaders in the region),” Hataman said in his message.

Hataman, former governor of the now defunct Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), called on residents of Barmm to work together for genuine peace in the Bangsamoro.

He said genuine peace will be realized “if democracy is vibrant and the freedom of the people to choose their leaders becomes a reality.”

For the past five years, leaders of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) that make up the Bangsamoro Parliament have all been appointed by the

President.

An election was supposed to be conducted in 2022, but Congress extended the life of the BTA for another three years.

Hataman said since the signing of the CAB on Mar. 27, 2014, he was reminded of the significant strides BARMM has made in the pursuit of lasting peace and development in Mindanao.

“This milestone in the peace process marks a pivotal moment in our history, one that has brought hope and optimism to the people of the Bangsamoro,” he said.

“As a former governor of ARMM, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how the peace process evolved and flourished under the Aquino administration, culminating in its finalization during the Duterte administration” he added. /