President Marcos, VP Duterte call for peace and unity as PH holds first-ever BARMM polls

Top leaders of the Philippine government on Monday (September 14, 2026) called for peace, integrity, and active voter participation as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) held its historic first parliamentary elections.

Both President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte issued separate appeals highlighting the milestone poll as a pivotal step toward lasting peace, self-governance, and democratic progress in Mindanao.

Marcos Urges Voters to Exercise Wisdom and Protect Peace

In a video message released on election day, President Marcos urged every qualified voter in the region to take part in shaping the first democratically elected Bangsamoro Parliament.

"I therefore encourage every qualified voter to take part in this momentous event with wisdom, dignity, and respect for one another," Marcos said, describing the election as a landmark achievement in the region's continuing journey toward self-determination.

The Chief Executive called on stakeholders to protect the integrity of the ballot and safeguard the fragile peace built over years of negotiations.

"May the votes that you will cast help us identify good leaders who can strengthen the institutions of the Bangsamoro and contribute to the progress of Mindanao and the entire nation," Marcos added, tying the regional vote to his administration's broader vision of a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines).

VP Duterte Calls for Peaceful, Transparent Process

Echoing the call for unity, Vice President Sara Duterte urged candidates, political parties, and voters to ensure that the electoral process remains credible and orderly.

"Ang unang halalan sa BARMM ay isang makasaysayang hakbang tungo sa sariling pamamahala, kapayapaan, at inklusibong pag-unlad ng mga Bangsamoro," Duterte said in a statement. (The first election in BARMM is a historic step toward self-governance, peace, and inclusive development for the Bangsamoro people.)

She asked voters to exercise their rights responsibly by choosing leaders committed to good governance and regional welfare, expressing hope that the polls will solidify democracy and solidarity in southern Philippines.

Milestone Transition

The elections mark the formal shift from the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to a fully elected regional government.

A total of 2,393,202 registered voters are expected to elect members of the 80-seat Bangsamoro Parliament, which is composed of:

• 40 regional party representatives

  
  

• 32 district representatives

  
  

• 8 sectoral representatives

Under the regional voting system, electors cast ballots for one political party, one district representative, and six sectoral representatives to complete the assembly. Paraluman News and Philippine News Agency