MARAWI City — Voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) can expect stronger voter education and a tougher campaign against vote-buying after the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) signed an agreement ahead of the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.
The three institutions signed a memorandum of agreement during a stakeholders' briefing at the Marawi Convention Center in Ground Zero, Marawi City, on Thursday, July 30.
Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr., who heads the commission's Kontra Bigay program, said MBHTE will help educate voters about the harmful effects of vote-buying and vote-selling. He urged residents to protect the integrity of the elections by voting freely and responsibly.
Maceda described the first-ever Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections as a historic milestone for both BARMM and the country.
Marawi City Vice Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra also called on local officials to continue providing public services fairly and without political bias during the election period.
He stressed that voter education is key to helping citizens understand the voting process and their role in democracy.
IBP National President Atty. Allan Panolong said the parliamentary elections should honor the sacrifices of the Bangsamoro people.
He said the lawyers' group will support voter education, mobilize volunteer lawyers, help fight vote-buying, and provide legal assistance to those filing election-related complaints.
BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua said the agreement shows the region is ready for the historic parliamentary polls.
He thanked Comelec, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), local government units, and other partners for helping prepare for the elections.
Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia encouraged all qualified voters in BARMM to cast their ballots on Sept. 14, noting that the parliamentary elections had been postponed several times.
Voting will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while early voting from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. will be available for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.
