16/09/2026
Statement of Basilan Gov. Mujiv S. Hataman on the Recently Concluded BARMM Parliamentary Elections
The Bangsamoro has crossed a historic threshold.
We have just concluded our very first parliamentary elections under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. For the first time, our people exercised their right to choose their representatives under a parliamentary system, fulfilling decades of struggle, negotiation, and hopes for genuine self-determination.
At the same time, we cannot overlook the difficulties and friction that marked this historic exercise. We mourn the lives lost and share in the grief of affected families across the region. No election outcome should ever come at the expense of our people's safety.
We must also see full accountability and decisive action regarding the irregularities reported on the ground, notably the discovery by the Commission on Elections of pre-shaded ballots in Maluso. Incidents like these must be investigated swiftly, transparently, and addressed according to the law. Genuine regional autonomy cannot stand on compromised ballots. The integrity of our democratic process is essential.
Still, despite these challenges, we must not lose sight of the way ahead.
The campaign is over; the urgent work of governing begins now. The mandate of the incoming elected BARMM government is clear: shift immediately from political contest to institutional competence. The regional leadership must focus squarely on how to run an effective, disciplined, and transparent bureaucracy. Good governance, accountability, fiscal integrity, and an unyielding commitment to the peace agenda must form the core of regional policy.
Above all, the affairs of the BARMM must be genuinely inclusive. Regional autonomy was never meant to be confined to the halls of power or held captive by political interests. It was won through the sacrifices of ordinary families across our provinces, islands, and mainland communities, and its success will ultimately be measured by how well it serves people at the grassroots.
As local leaders on the ground, we stand ready to work with an administration that honors good governance, upholds the rule of law, and truly serves the people. Let this historic milestone mark the beginning of a regional government where democracy delivers and no community is left behind.
