MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended the successful outcome of the inaugural parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The commendation came as President Marcos met with Interim BARMM Chief Minister and Bangsamoro Federal Party (BFP) leader Abdulraof Macacua at Malacañang Palace.
Official images of the executive gathering were released on Wednesday, September 23, by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
During the discussion, both leaders focused on strategic plans for the newly formed regional government, specifically emphasizing sustained developmental initiatives and the uninterrupted provision of vital public services to local communities.
“The meeting also discussed the way forward for the newly elected BARMM Government, including the continued implementation of development programs and delivery of essential services for the Bangsamoro people,” the PCO said in a statement.
“The discussion likewise covered the continuation of the normalization track of the peace process to sustain the gains of peace and development in the region,” it added.
Macacua secured his parliamentary seat representing Maguindanao del Norte’s third legislative district during the milestone regional polls. The final tallies concluded without a single political entity claiming an absolute majority across the 80-seat regional assembly.
Macacua’s BFP emerged with the largest group, capturing 31 seats, narrowly ahead of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-backed United Bangsamoro Justice Party, which secured 30 seats.
According to Palace records, the historic vote drew a turnout rate of roughly 84% and transpired with minimal disruptions across the autonomous territory.
“The successful conduct of the first parliamentary elections marks the completion of the political track of the Bangsamoro peace process and the region’s transition to a fully elected parliamentary government,” it said.
Key officials present at the Malacañang conference included Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, and Ministry of the Interior and Local Government Minister Jordan Bayam.