BARMM parties face off in debate ahead of polls
MANILA, Philippines – Thirteen regional political parties will face off in a debate on Thursday, August 27, ahead of the inaugural Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections on September 14.
The debate, hosted at the Notre Dame University Cardinal Quevedo Gymnasium, is being organized by NDU, Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), and the Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC). The following accredited political parties are expected to participate:
- Alliance of Bangsamoro Tri-People’s Party (ABOT)
- Bangsamoro Party (BAPA)
- Bangsamoro Empowerment and Social Transformation Party (BEST Party)
- Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP)
- BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC)
- Indigenous, Settlers, Sama and Minorities Alliance Party (ISAMA)
- Mahardika Party (MAHARDIKA)
- Moro Ako Party (MORO AKO)
- People’s Consultative (Mushawara) Party (MUSHAWARA)
- Partido Bangon Bangsamoro (PBB)
- Progresibong Bangsamoro Party (PRO BANGSAMORO)
- Bangsamoro Peoples’ Democratic Party (Raayat Democratic Party)
- United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP)
Candidates are expected to tackle critical issues such as economic development, fiscal accountability, peace-building, security, good governance, and inclusive representation — issues vital to the continued shaping of BARMM’s autonomy.
These discussions aim to provide voters with an opportunity to evaluate competing visions for the region’s future under the parliamentary system mandated by the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Watch the live coverage of the debate on the online platforms of IAG, NDU, and the IEMC. Follow Rappler’s live updates of the debate and the first BARMM parliamentary elections here. – Rappler.com
