The Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation (KAS) Philippines Office and the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) have commenced an 18-month project to advance a genuine political party system in the future Bangsamoro political entity in Mindanao.

The project which is co-funded by European Union (EU) aims to empower civil society to actively participate in political decision processes which are at the basis of political pluralism.  It envisions to educate the Bangsamoro constituency (Moro, Christian Settlers and Indigenous Peoples) especially the underrepresented groups in order to enable them actively participate in political processes. In this context, seminars and training activities addressed to various civil society organizations inside the Bangsamoro area will be implemented. 

The project team headed by KAS Country Representative Benedikt Seemann and IAG Executive Director Atty. Benedicto R. Bacani initiated courtesy meetings on November 4-6, 2015 with various groups and individuals to formally introduce the project as well as strategize on how the project could help in terms of promoting meaningful participation of common people in political processes through political parties and political movements and CSOs.  

The project team was grateful to have met and strategized with leaders of the indigenous peoples in the Bangsamoro through the Organization of T’eduray and Lambangian Conference (OTLAC) and T’eduray and Lambangian Women’s Organization (TLWO), Professor Ahboud Lingga of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS), Secretary Anwar Malang of DILG-ARMM, Chairman Mohagher Iqbal of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), MILF-BIAF Chief and Secretary General of United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) Sammy Al Mansoor, Bangsamoro Women headed by Tata Maglangit, leaders of Centrist Democratic Party (CDP)-Bangsamoro, Majority Floor Leader of the Legislative Body of ARMM Assemblyman Ziaur-Rahman A. Adiong, and Fr. Charlie Inzon, OMI, president of Notre Dame University in Cotabato City.  The team also had an opportunity to share thoughts and insights with various international organizations that include UNDP, World Food Programme, officials from the US Embassy, UNICEF and forumZFD or Forum Civil Peace Service and GTZ or German Agency for Technical Cooperation.   

During the meeting, both the project holders and the target project partners had commonly highlighted the need to strengthen the meaningful participation of common citizens in governance processes.  However, it can be done only if they are organized either as political parties or political movements where they can articulate their political platforms and agenda. On this regard, the project can offer, in non-partisan manner, a variety of support such as trainings, orientation, provision of reference materials to different groups that are keen on increasing their capacity in order to effectively participate in political decisions and processes.

KAS, an international foundation and IAG, a Cotabato City-based non-government organization are institutional partners since 2001 on a number of projects ranging from promoting good governance, involvement in the peace-building initiatives in Mindanao, capacity-building programs with grassroots communities especially the indigenous peoples, researches, organizing forums and conferences on regional and local autonomy and emerging pressing issues.