Catholic bishops hope Mindanao moves forward together after BARMM polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday expressed hope that the people of Mindanao “move forward together” in light of its recently concluded first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.

“As the BARMM enters a new chapter, we appeal especially to its leaders: make the Bangsamoro a home for everyone. Let governance protect the dignity, rights and religious freedom of every person and community,” CBCP said in a statement.

“May the peoples of Mindanao move forward together—not merely tolerating one another, but knowing one another, respecting one another and working side by side for the common good,” it stressed.

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READ: PPCRV begins audit of 1st BARMM parliamentary elections

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Millions of voters turned out to the polls last Monday to elect 80 representatives for the BARMM parliament in a historic first following decades of conflict in the region and negotiations.

The CBCP congratulated all stakeholders who participated in the elections. 

It further cited an excerpt from Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas encyclical: “Peace is neither a naive hope nor merely the absence of war; instead, it is always possible as the fruit of justice and charity.”

“This lesson speaks profoundly to Mindanao. Our history bears wounds of conflict, displacement, prejudice, and historical injustice. We must acknowledge and heal these wounds, but they need not determine our future,” the CBCP said.

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“We therefore encourage Muslim and Christian religious leaders, together with Indigenous communities, to deepen dialogue and strengthen structures of cooperation for peace,” it added.

On Wednesday, the Commission on Elections released the list of 40 party representatives and eight sectoral representatives who secured seats in the regional parliament.

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The remaining 32 seats were allocated for district representatives.

“May they govern not for personal or partisan interests, but for the common good of all Muslims, Christians, Indigenous Peoples, and every community within the Bangsamoro,” the CBCP said. /mr