What is the Philippines’ BARMM regional election and why does it matter
Bangsamoro’s first parliamentary election is a milestone in a decade-long peace process aimed at ending separatist conflict and completing the transition to elected self-government.
People look for their precincts during the first parliamentary elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in Pahamuddin, Cotabato, Philippines on Sep 14, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Manman Dejeto)
New: You can now listen to articles.
This audio is generated by an AI tool.
Read a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST
Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
MANILA: Nearly 2.4 million registered voters in the Philippines are casting their ballots in the Muslim-majority south’s first parliamentary election, the culmination of a decade-long peace process aimed at ending separatist conflict and completing the transition to elected self-government.
WHAT IS BARMM?
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is an autonomous region in the southern Philippines created after voters approved greater self-rule in a 2019 plebiscite.
It has a population of about 4.5 million people and covers parts of Mindanao, the Philippines’ second-largest island, as well as Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and the Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato.
It replaced an earlier autonomy arrangement in the Muslim-majority south established under a previous peace agreement.
HOW DID BARMM COME ABOUT?
Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time
Buzzword
Create words using the given letters
Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser
Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge
Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
In 2014, the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country’s largest Muslim separatist movement, signed a peace agreement aimed at ending a conflict that killed more than 120,000 people and displaced about 2 million.
The agreement called for the creation of a new autonomous political entity in the Muslim-majority south. Its provisions were formalised in a law, enacted in 2018, which granted the region greater political and economic powers.
Voters overwhelmingly ratified the law in a 2019 plebiscite, creating BARMM and an interim government tasked with preparing the region for elections.
WHY WAS AUTONOMY IMPORTANT?
Supporters saw greater self-rule as a way to address long-standing grievances over poverty, marginalisation, and underdevelopment while reducing support for armed and extremist groups.
The need for stability was underscored in 2017, when Islamic State-linked militants occupied Marawi City for five months in the Philippines’ worst urban battle since World War II.
Since BARMM was created, supporters point to improvements in economic performance. The region’s economy grew 5 per cent in 2025, up from 3.5 per cent in 2024 and faster than the national growth rate of 4.4 per cent, according to regional and national accounts.
Poverty has declined in recent years, although the region continues to face significant development challenges. Officials and development agencies say BARMM has significant untapped economic potential in agriculture, fisheries, marine resources, energy and mineral deposits if peace and stability are sustained.
WHAT ARE VOTERS CHOOSING?
BARMM is the only region in the Philippines governed under a parliamentary system.
Voters are electing an 80-member parliament consisting of: 40 party representatives elected through proportional representation; 32 district representatives; eight sectoral representatives.
The parliament will then elect the region’s chief minister.
WHO IS CONTESTING?
Among those competing for power are parties led by former MILF rebels, rival factions that emerged after the peace deal, and traditional political clans.
The election will complete the transition from the appointed interim government to an elected regional government, marking the first time the region’s autonomous institutions are being led by officials chosen through elections.
Source: CNA
Sign up for our newsletters
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST
Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
