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Assessing the 2025 Midterm Elections in BARMM and Sulu: Progress and Challenges

May 13, 2025

The 2025 Midterm Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Sulu presented a complex landscape of progress and persistent challenges. The Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) has released its preliminary assessment, highlighting key observations that shaped the electoral process.

Violence, Intimidation, and Polling Delays Mark the Start of Election Day

May 12, 2025

The Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) has monitored violent incidents, intimidation tactics, and polling delays occurring between 5 PM on May 11 and the 5 AM opening of polls on May 12, 2025. These incidents, spanning multiple provinces, highlight ongoing security concerns and disruptions to the electoral process.

IEMC-BARMM & Sulu to Operate 24 Hours During Key Election Days

May 11, 2025

The Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) for BARMM and Sulu commences its critical 24-hour operation today, May 11, continuing through May 13, 2025, to safeguard the integrity of the national and local elections. This intensified monitoring period coincides with the peak election days.

COMELEC Grants Official Recognition to Independent Election Monitoring Center for BARMM and Sulu

May 09, 2025

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has officially recognized the Civil Society Organization-led Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) as an election monitor for the upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections.

Independent Election Monitoring Center Launched in Cotabato City to Safeguard BARMM and Sulu Elections

May 05, 2025

A coalition of civil society organizations and institutions launched the Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Sulu on May 5. The announcement was made during a press conference at the Institute for Autonomy and Governance in Cotabato City.

IAG and SLASH.ph Partner to Establish Independent Election Monitoring Center for BARMM & Sulu

Apr 25, 2025

IAG and SLASH.ph have signed a memorandum of agreement to establish the Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) - BARMM & Sulu, headquartered in Cotabato City. The IEMC will monitor electoral activities, enhance security, prevent violence, and promote transparency and fairness in the May 2025 elections.

Iranun Development Council Launches Inclusive Development Consultations

Apr 22, 2025

A wave of community engagement has swept across the five municipalities of the Iranun Development Council (IDC) as diverse sectors actively participated in a series of Local Stakeholder and Community Consultations throughout April 2025.

IEMC-BARMM & Sulu Launched to Safeguard Transparency and Security in 2025 Elections

Apr 11, 2025

The IEMC-BARMM & Sulu is dedicated to working collaboratively with all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and the media, to ensure a successful and peaceful electoral process in 2025.

Get serious on the fundamentals of the peace process

Benedicto Bacani I Mar 19, 2025

The longer we hold off elections, the more we entrench a culture where people without public mandates feel entitled to public funds and to political office. Public funds are regarded more as “war booties” than public funds. In this environment, moral governance is a slogan without structures and policies to enforce it. Autonomy is a privilege than a regime of... Read more

POLICY BRIEF: Lessons for Creating Regional Governments

IAG Philippines I Mar 05, 2025

As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) moves towards its historic first parliamentary election in 2025, the lessons learned from the ARMM's experience are more relevant than ever. Read more

POLICY BRIEF: Harnessing Indigenous Storytelling for Advocacy and Cultural Preservation

IAG Philippines I Jan 24, 2025

Indigenous peoples contribute to cultural heritage and social continuity. Yet, many of these are not yet visible in literature and are usually considered 'subjugated knowledge', meaning they are marginalized or suppressed. One of these is the Indigenous art of storytelling. Read more

Elevating SGA to a Province: Legal Challenges and Opportunities

IAG Philippines I Dec 04, 2024

This report assesses the viability of making the SGA a province in BARMM and its potential impact on the 2025 elections. It concludes that the SGA doesn't qualify as a province and proposes its annexation to Maguindanao del Norte. The report stresses the importance of congressional approval and community engagement for this change. Read more

IAG and CCAA: No legitimacy or rationale for postponing the BARMM regional elections

IAG Philippines I Nov 15, 2024

The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) and the Climate Conflict Action (CCAA) see no legitimate or valid reason behind the proposal to postpone the Bangsamoro regional election to address so-called representation issues surrounding the Supreme Court’s decision to recognize Sulu’s desire for exclusion from the BARMM. Read more

The MP's Little Green Book

IAG Philippines I Oct 09, 2024

"The MP's Little Green Book" is designed to assist first-time Bangsamoro Members of Parliament (MPs) in performing their duties. It offers a simple and accessible guide to the parliamentary system, serving as a helpful resource for current and future MP's and their staff alongside other reading materials. Read more

Setting Baselines: Preparing the BARMM Electorate for the First Ever Regional Parliamentary Elections in 2025

IAG Research I Jun 19, 2024

As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) prepares for its 2025 parliamentary elections, acquiring knowledge about the demographics of voters becomes crucial for political parties and policymakers striving to effectively engage with constituents. This groundbreaking report offers essential insights into voter profiles, the electorate's readiness for the 2025 polls, sources of information regarding political parties, top issues and... Read more

It's in the MILF’s interest to accommodate IPRA in the Bangsamoro

Soliman M. Santos, Jr. I Jun 07, 2024

Given the urgency surrounding the proposed BARMM IP Code (Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Development Act of 2024) and the ongoing violence affecting the Teduray-Lambangian tribe and other non-Moro IPs in Maguindanao, I’m sharing my previously confidential 9-page memo from January 7, 2015. The memo advises selected MILF leaders on the importance of accommodating IPRA (Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act) within the Bangsamoro... Read more

Protecting Identity and Ancestral Domain: The Urgent Need for Safeguards for Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples in the BARMM

Benedicto Bacani I May 08, 2024

IAG is of the belief that considering the current context by which the IP Code is legislated, it is not the MILF-led BTA, but the national government and to a certain extent the international community that supports the peace process, that hold the key to ensuring that the NMIP does not end up as the sacrificial lambs to attain “peace”... Read more

Four Rebel Group Amnesties: Win Some, Lose Some

Soliman M. Santos, Jr. I Apr 17, 2024

Four amnesty proclamations (Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406) for various rebel groups, dated 22 November 2023, have been approved by both Houses of Congress. This approval puts them into effect and allows the National Amnesty Commission to start processing amnesty applications. Read more

PETITIONS ON BARMM REGIONAL CODES

Bangsamoro Local Governance Code

Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition under Rule 65

Bangsamoro Electoral Code

Petition-In-Intervention for Certiorari, Prohibition, Mandamus with Urgent Relief for the Issuance of Status Quo Ante Order (Latiph)
Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court (Pansar)
Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court (Mastura)

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PETITIONS ON BARMM REGIONAL CODES