CBCP urges stronger peace efforts as new BARMM Parliament prepares to take office

COTABATO CITY, BARMM — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on the newly elected members of the Bangsamoro Parliament to strengthen dialogue and cooperation as the region moves forward following its first parliamentary elections.

In a pastoral statement released after the September 14 polls, CBCP President and Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera urged Muslim and Christian religious leaders, together with Indigenous communities, to deepen cooperation in promoting peace across the Bangsamoro region.

The BARMM held its first parliamentary elections on September 14, with 2,018,478 voters, or 84.34% of the region’s 2.393 million registered voters, casting their ballots. The 80 newly elected Parliament members are scheduled to assume office on October 30 and will then elect the region’s chief minister.

The CBCP said the new Parliament should focus on the common good of all communities in the Bangsamoro, including Muslims, Christians and Indigenous Peoples. It also emphasized the importance of protecting the rights, dignity and religious freedom of residents as the region continues its political transition.

The first BARMM parliamentary elections mark a new stage in the region’s transition toward an elected parliamentary government, following years of peace and autonomy efforts in Mindanao.