ENTERING the final stretch of its transition to autonomy, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remains entrenched in political and economic challenges, raising concerns among political thinkers over its future amid another delay in its first parliamentary elections.
In a Feb. 26 forum, Asst. Prof. Mark Velasco of the Department of Political Science tackled the poverty, political dynasty, and electoral woes challenging true development in the fledgling region.
“BARMM is still one of the socioeconomically challenged regions in the country… The poverty incidence in BARMM is still not getting low from 7.5%, almost 10%,” Velasco said during a forum at the George SK Ty Function Hall of the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.
“Ibig sabihin po nito, masyado pa ring mataas ‘yong kanilang poverty incidence, and this is attributed to so many reasons,” he said.
One major factor is the low educational attainment and subpar literacy levels in the region. In 2022, the literacy rate in BARMM stood at only 86.4%, far below the national average of 97% and the lowest in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
“Marami pa ring bata — marami pa ring tao sa BARMM na hindi makapagbasa, hindi makaintindi ng kanilang binasa, or hindi sila marunong ng mga basic literacy competencies,” Velasco noted.
Apart from learning hurdles, Velasco, citing a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism report, said BARMM also grapples with election-related violence, electoral fraud, and vote buying, issues expected to intensify as the 2025 midterm elections draw near.
Velasco also cited the influence of rido, or feuds within Mindanao’s political families.
“Ang hirap pa rin matanggal ‘yong ating mga political dynasties kasi ito ‘yong pinanggagalingan nila. Let us try to understand na kung familiar kayo sa rido issues in Mindanao, very strong ‘yan kasi it’s coming from a perspective na we can only trust our family members,” he said.
A US Agency for International Development (USAID) initiative had sought to address this problem by strengthening competition and political parties, but it came to naught when US President Donald Trump recently dismantled the humanitarian arm.
Deferred polls
One of the most immediate problems BARMM faces is the repeated delays in its first parliamentary elections, which are seen as crucial to the region’s peace process.
Velasco said a significant portion of the BARMM electorate had been disenfranchised by the elections delayed twice over.
“There was also a report that 120,000 individuals were already disenfranchised because of the process or probably because of the system that is in existence. Laging nade-delay [ang elections]; laging nagkakaroon ng special elections in some areas of BARMM,” he said.
The BARMM was initially scheduled to hold its parliamentary elections on May 12, coinciding with the midterm polls. However, the elections were deferred to Oct. 13 when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12123.
Velasco emphasized the other challenges faced by BARMM, including gender inequality, political apathy among youth, and infrastructure problems, but noted that reforms were underway.
“I guarantee you that there are many reforms that are being put in place kasi mas lumalakas ‘yong external influence toward BARMM. Si BARMM po ngayon, mas nago-open sila toward external partners and even providers,” he said.
“It can open up more improvements in governance, security, and even electoral process. We’re hoping that in the next few days, in the next few months, even the next few years, we can address governance issues, promote more integrity in the election, and advance socio-economic reforms.”
The BARMM forum also featured UST Political Science Department Chair Dennis Coronacion, who discussed the region’s history and pursuit of independence, and Faculty of Arts and Letters Secretary Louie Ignacio, who tackled the role of the Filipino family in political discourse.
The forum “A Region in Transition: Elections and the Shifting Political Landscape in Muslim Mindanao” was held as part of Artlets’ 60th anniversary celebrations.
