When Sulu was excluded from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the Supreme Court’s ruling last September, there was noticeable public concern about the decision’s likely impact, particularly on the future of Bangsamoro.
Sulu’s exclusion carries serious implications, including the possible postponement of BARMM’s first parliamentary elections. This proposal is crucial for ensuring an inclusive election where everyone has representation. The exclusion of Sulu signals future challenges for the region and serves as a warning regarding the quest for peace, freedom, and justice within Bangsamoro.
In a Facebook post following the decision, former BARMM interior minister Naguib Sinarimbo remarked that the ruling would have “far-reaching consequences,” highlighting concerns about the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and Sulu’s relationship with BARMM.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Adiong Alonto echoed these concerns, describing the ruling as “political tremors” that could endanger the foundation of Bangsamoro as a united and autonomous region.
An independent group, Climate Conflict Action, had warned a month before the ruling about the potential for a deadly 2025 BARMM election.
Since Sulu’s exclusion has been upheld, there is concern that other BARMM provinces might follow suit in the future. While these are possibilities rather than certainties, they deserve our attention.
To understand why this issue is tied to the inclusivity of BARMM’s election, we must first examine the context of the dispute. In 2019, a plebiscite was held to ratify the BOL, which established BARMM in place of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Under BOL, ARMM supposedly voted as a single geographic unit, meaning that the majority decision of all combined provinces would stand. When Sulu voted on the BOL ratification, it voted “no.”
Before the plebiscite, Abdusakur Tan, Sulu’s governor, filed a petition with the SC, arguing that BOL was unconstitutional. Tan claimed that Sulu’s automatic inclusion in BARMM erased the province’s distinct identity and infringed on its rights.
He referred to Sulu’s historical significance as the birthplace of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a group rival to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). BARMM is currently led by the MILF following a peace agreement with the government.
Tan argued that Sulu’s inclusion in BARMM should not be automatic simply because it was part of ARMM, citing Section 18, Article 10 of the Constitution. The Court agreed, ruling that Sulu’s inclusion in BARMM was unconstitutional due to the province’s rejection of the BOL during the plebiscite. This decision is likely to influence upcoming parliamentary elections and has led to procedural changes.
Senate President Chiz Escudero introduced Senate Bill 2826 on November 4, proposing to defer BARMM’s elections to May 11, 2026, to “allow the region to reconfigure its jurisdictions.” The House of Representatives also has a counterpart bill. Earlier, on October 22, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) passed Resolution No. 641 to postpone the region’s first parliamentary elections.
BARMM’s history, culture, religion, and identity are inseparable from Sulu and the MNLF, who have resisted colonialism and greatly contributed to the self-identity and freedom Bangsamoro enjoys today. Sulu’s participation is essential for truly inclusive elections, as Bangsamoro unity is incomplete if its constituents are divided in the pursuit of peace.
This consideration has led to discussions about extending BARMM’s elections, which might create an opportunity for Sulu’s participation in parliamentary elections. Bangsamoro Parliament Member Omar Yasser Sema emphasized that an extension could enable MNLF’s involvement.
The SC’s ruling has implications for the political landscape of the province, as it effectively disqualifies regional political parties from the province, impacting the seven parliamentary district representative seats. Sema argued that MNLF’s inclusive participation is important to securing peace and development in the region.
We must advocate for an extension of BARMM’s parliamentary elections and encourage the SC to revisit its decision on Sulu’s exclusion. As Sinarimbo and Adiong explained, Sulu’s response to the 2019 plebiscite reflected its stance on ratification, not on inclusion. Most importantly, the long history of Bangsamoro should guide our choices.
In these challenging times, we must prioritize the collective interests of the Bangsamoro people. We should ask ourselves: Who is this peace for? It is for the people of the BARMM, for the families and communities of those who have fought, sacrificed, and brought us to this stage of history.
Rushing the elections, much like rushing the peace process in Mindanao, may hinder rather than help progress. Achieving and sustaining peace takes time, essential for the region’s growth and development.
Indeed, the future of Bangsamoro is in our hands. – Rappler.com
Abdul Hafiz Tacoranga Malawani is a media literacy advocate and campus journalist from Marawi City. He writes to promote peace and social justice in Bangsamoro and is committed to advancing peace through truthful journalism.