Members of the Speakers’ Bureau engage in a workshop on July 10-12, 2024 in General Santos City for the crafting of message house in line with the Halalang Bangsamoro campaign for the first regional parliamentary elections in 2025. (Hamdan Badrudin/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—As preparations for the first regional parliamentary elections in 2025 ramp up, the Bangsamoro Government is intensifying its efforts to educate the public about the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC).
From July 10-12, the Office of the Chief Minister’s Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) and the Office of the Parliament Speaker of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament conducted the Speakers’ Bureau Training 2024 in General Santos City, aimed at ensuring accountable, transparent, and inclusive elections in the BARMM.
International non-governmental organizations, such as the European Union through the Support to the Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Program, UK Government, The Asia Foundation (TAF), United Nations Office for Project Services, and Particip, have also supported this initiative.
During the three-day event, guest speakers discussed the key and technical aspects of the BEC, also known as the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35, and trained participants on how to craft effective messages to inform voters from various sectoral groups.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim underscored that the presence of participants, mostly coming from the respective offices of the Members of Parliament, is a testament to their commitment to fostering positive change in the region.
“As Chief Minister, I firmly believe in the transformative power of communication. Through your voices, we can disseminate crucial information about the Bangsamoro Electoral Code and its vital provisions to the wider public,” he said in a video message.
“This training will not only strengthen your skills in public speaking and message delivery but, more importantly, you will be the representatives of the Bangsamoro Government in bringing the right information to our Bangsamoro constituents,” the chief minister emphasized.
Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong, who also delivered his video message, considered the event ‘crucial’ for the extensive region-wide information campaign about the BEC.
“Your role as participants in this training is crucial. Your work does not end here; this training is the beginning of your journey as ambassadors of clear and effective communication,” he said.
He also reiterated that this pool of speakers will be instrumental in conveying the essence of the BEC as well as the significance of the 2025 elections to the Bangsamoro electorates.
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) passed the said Code on March 8, 2023, pursuant to the Bangsamoro’s right to self-governance. The Code addresses issues of representation, ensuring that the people in the Bangsamoro region are reflected in the Bangsamoro Parliament.
Among its key features are the allocation of BARMM parliament members, which is composed of regional political party representatives (40 seats), district representatives (32 seats), and sectoral representatives (8 seats).
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia shared that the Commission is ready for the historic elections in BARMM.
“Sa kasalukuyan handa po tayo sa automation ng ating halalan. At all cost, dapat automated ang election ng 2025. Kinakailangan na magkaroon ng mas malawak na voters’ education hindi lamang sa Bangsamoro kundi sa buong Pilipinas,” Garcia said.
[At present, we are ready for the automation of our elections. At all costs, the 2025 election must be automated. There needs to be wider voter education not only in Bangsamoro but throughout the entire Philippines.]
Highlighting the significance of voter education and public awareness for the 2025 elections, Garcia expressed his anticipation for the next session of the Speakers Bureau Training.
BIO Executive Director Ameen Andrew Alonto said the upcoming election is essentially a continuation or part of the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“If we desire to attain our dreams and aspirations, we have to do our part to ensure that in 2025 we will have safe, free, and credible elections in the Bangsamoro,” Alonto said.
“This endeavor is not for the benefit of any particular party but ultimately this is for the Bangsamoro people,” he added.
The Speakers’ Bureau Training is one of the initiatives of BIO, the center of information in BARMM, to effectively disseminate information relevant to the BEC.
Also, the event is in collaboration with the PROBE Media Foundation, Inc., Legal Network for Truthful Elections, and the Offices of the BTA Floor Leader and Cabinet Secretary. (Datu Norhamidin Mamasainged/BIO)
