MANILA, Philippines—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that the national government is moving “full speed” toward the conduct of the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) on Sept. 14.
Speaking during the 16th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit and related Asean meetings in Cebu, Marcos underscored the importance of sustaining political stability, democratic transition, and economic development in the Bangsamoro region.
The President’s statements came amid pending matters before the Supreme Court involving Barmm territorial and electoral concerns, although preparations by the Commission on Elections, security agencies, and Bangsamoro institutions have continued simultaneously.
Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. said Marcos’ remarks reflected a “whole-of-government” approach to ensuring the successful holding of the parliamentary elections as mandated under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
“The government continues preparing on all fronts. The direction is to move forward and ensure readiness for the Sept. 14 elections,” Lagdameo said.
During the summit, Marcos emphasized that Barmm occupied a strategic position within the BIMP-EAGA growth corridor and should become a major center for trade, halal industries, fisheries, tourism, and maritime connectivity in the southern Philippines.
He said that economic development in Barmm was directly tied to peace and institutional stability, saying investments and regional cooperation are essential in preserving gains achieved under the Bangsamoro peace process.
The President also highlighted the need for “people-centered development,” emphasizing that government programs must produce tangible benefits for communities in historically underserved and conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.
Marcos’ repeated emphasis on continuity, stability, and regional integration was reportedly viewed as an indirect affirmation that Malacañang remained optimistic the Barmm parliamentary elections would push through as scheduled despite unresolved legal questions.
The Sept. 14 parliamentary election will be the first regular polls conducted under the Bangsamoro Organic Law and is widely regarded as a crucial phase in the transition toward a permanent parliamentary government in the Bangsamoro region following decades of armed conflict in southern Philippines.
Apart from the Bangsamoro elections, Marcos also pushed broader Asean and BIMP-EAGA priorities, including food security, digital transformation, infrastructure modernization, maritime sustainability, and energy cooperation among Southeast Asian economies.
The President particularly cited the importance of improving transport and logistics links connecting Mindanao, Palawan, Sabah, Brunei, and eastern Indonesia to accelerate trade, tourism, and investments across the subregional bloc.
He reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening Asean centrality amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainties, stressing that regional cooperation remains vital to maintaining economic resilience and stability.
"As we gather today, we look forward with purpose guided by the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 and its strong alignment with the broader aspirations of Asean. This vision is not merely a roadmap for economic integration, it is a promise to our people that development will be meaningful, sustainable, and felt in their daily lives," Marcos said.
"Together, let us continue building a more connected, resilient, and prosperous BIMP-EAGA for present and future generations," he added.
