COTABATO CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Interfaith Movement for Peaceful and Clean Elections (IM4PEACE) commends the Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for demonstrating an inspiring model of democratic integrity, peaceful self-determination, and consensus governance.
At the Regional Inter-Tribal Convention held in Cotabato City on August 25, 2026—facilitated by the NMIP Committee and witnessed by national and regional representatives from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA), and citizen's election watch and accredited civil society organizations —representatives from six distinct tribes selected their two representatives to the BARMM Parliament. They established a historic consensus to rotate representation across terms:
- First Term: Teduray and Lambangian
- Second Term: Manovu Dulangan and Erumanen ne Menuvu
- Third Term: Higaonon and Blaan
This landmark agreement demonstrates that customary, consensus-based decision-making yields equitable, peaceful, and unified political outcomes without divisive political rivalries.
Protecting Sectoral Autonomy Amid Electoral Reconfiguration
Following amendments to the Bangsamoro Electoral Code to redistribute parliamentary seats after the Supreme Court ruled that Sulu is not part of BARMM, most Sectoral Reserved Seats were opened to general public voting.
Through persistent advocacy, the NMIPs stood as the sole exception, successfully asserting their right to select representatives through customary processes and sectoral assemblies rather than general balloting.
IM4PEACE emphasizes that opening other sectoral seats to general voting has exposed those positions to the resources, influence, and candidate slates of dominant regional political parties. Sectoral Reserved Seats—including those for Women, Youth, Traditional Leaders, Settler Communities, and the Ulama—were created to uplift marginalized voices. They must never be captured or used as an extension of the power and influence of dominant political parties.
A Call to Preserve Sectoral Independence
IM4PEACE notes that the process undertaken by the NMIPs reflects the genuine spirit of sectoral representation: a direct mandate born from the community itself. To preserve the moral and democratic foundation of the BARMM Parliament, the selection and nomination of all sectoral representatives must remain rooted within their respective sectors, completely autonomous from external party control.
Further, IM4PEACE calls on all civil society movements, faith communities, and peace advocates within the BARMM to actively champion this reform throughout the upcoming election period and from day one of the newly elected BARMM Parliament.
August 26, 2026
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About IM4PEACE
The Interfaith Movement for Peaceful and Clean Elections (IM4PEACE) is a coalition of Tri-People grassroots, faith-based, human rights and peace organizations, and civil society organizations dedicated to promoting electoral integrity, social justice, and inclusive governance across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Mindanao, and the Philippines.
Photos from Tedurise.
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