CAMP DARAPANAN, MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) formally turned over to the Bangsamoro government on Monday, April 15, the official results of the plebiscite held in the Special Geographic Area (SGA), as the election body also launched its Register Anywhere Project (RAP) here.

A total of 72, 358 out of 89,594 registered voters across the 63 barangays in the SGA voted a resounding “yes” in the April 13 plebiscite, leading to the creation of eight new municipalities that will be under the Bangsamoro.

In a ceremony held here at the sprawling Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camp, COMELEC Commissioner Atty. Aimee Ferolino handed over the plebiscite results to Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim.

In her remarks, Ferolino candidly described the plebiscite as uneventful and a “non-challenge,” as she considered the SGA plebiscite as the most peaceful plebiscite held in the nation’s history.

“Now, we will always remember April 13 as a very historic day. [It was a] memorable day not only for us at the Commission on Elections but also for the Bangsamoro people. Kasi dito naganap ang pinakamayapayang plebisito,” she said.

“I hope it will be repeated again in the coming years. Sa 2025 [elections], I hope it will be as peaceful. ‘Yung walang ganap, ‘yung boring ba. Dapat ganoon ang election natin dito sa Bangsamoro,” Ferolino added.

Hundreds of residents, mostly MILF members and their families, patiently lined up in a gymnasium here to register as voters. For many of them, it is the first time they will be casting their vote.

The RAP initiative is designed to bring the voter’s registration process directly to the communities, especially in far-flung and remote areas, making it more accessible for potential voters.

The services provided include new registration, transfer of registration, correction of entries, and re-activation, all aimed at ensuring that residents in MILF camps who are qualified voters can easily register for the upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections.

A triumph for democracy

Ebrahim, who is also the chairperson of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), echoed Ferolino’s observation, saying the SGA plebiscite “was the most peaceful plebiscite in the country.”

“This is not just victory for the eight municipalities of the SGA and the BARMM itself, but the triumph of each and every Bangsamoro from the 63 barangays who participated in this democratic process,” he noted.

“As chief minister of the Bangsamoro government, I am deeply honored and humbled by the extraordinary display of trust and confidence by the constituents of the SGA and the leadership of the BARMM,” he added.

Ebrahim thanked the COMELEC, security sector and all stakeholders who helped ensure the success of the plebiscite as he vowed to bring greater peace, progress and prosperity to the people of the SGA under his leadership.

“I am committed, as always, to take good care of the eight municipalities of the SGA. We will move forward together, with determination knowing that the best is yet to come,” he stressed.

A collective desire for development and progress

According to Maguindanao Del Norte Gov. Abdulrauf Macacua, the plebiscite “brought us immense elation, as we witnessed the [SGA] residents’ collective desire and unified aspiration to secure a resounding yes vote.”

“The outcome of the plebiscite signifies the unity and cooperation among the residents. This day marks a significant stride towards the continued advancement of these municipalities,” Macacua said.

The governor is optimistic that the 63 barangays in the SGA “will evolve into vibrant municipalities under BARMM’s governance” whose leadership is determined to uplift the lives of its residents.

“We now anticipate a future that is characterized by enhanced services, opportunities and sustainable growth. The Bangsamoro government stands ready to support these municipalities in their journey towards development and progress,” Macacua said.

Meeting people’s expectations

For COMELEC Chairperson Atty. Erwin Garcia, the major challenge the BARMM government needs to confront is to meet the expectations of those who voted yes in the plebiscite.

“Isang malaking hamon [ito] lalo na sa Bangsamoro…Hindi sapat na ibinoto lang tayo, 73,000 sa mga kababayan natin sa 63 barangays. Kinakailangangan na mapatunayan natin sa kanila na hindi sila nagkamali sa kanilang pagboto ng yes,” Garcia said.

The COMELEC chief lamented that the residents of the SGA have been left in the fringes for many years and disenfranchised because of their inability to vote for their local and national leaders.

“Noong 2022 elections, hindi sila bumoto for governor, vice governor. Ni hindi sila bumoto for Sanggunian. Dahil ba hindi sila parte ng ating bansa? By not allowing them for these positions, you are disenfranchising these people,” Garcia pointed out.

He explained that by casting their vote during the April 13 plebiscite, their fundamental right to suffrage has been fully restored, and thus giving them the power to choose the leaders they rightfully deserve.

“And therefore sa pagboto nila sa Abril astrese, tinuduldukan nila ‘yung violation ng kanilang karapatan na nakalagay sa ating saligang batas. Sa darating na halalan sa 2025 onwards, makakaboto na sila sa lahat ng posisyon,” Garcia said.

This is the reason why, he said, the COMELEC has rolled out its Register Anywhere Project in Camps Darapanan and Abubakar, which aims to give residents the opportunity to cast their vote in the most convenient way possible.

The COMELEC chair also commended Galvez for the instrumental role he had played in the successful conduct of the plebiscite in the SGA, especially in ensuring that the Bangsamoro peace process is right on track.

“Nagpapasalamat din tayo kay Sec. Charlie Galvez. Ang peace process is a process. Ito po ay hindi makukuha sa isang gabi lang o sa isang araw lang. Ito ay isang patuloy na proseso na dapat pinagsasamahan nating lahat,” Garcia said.

A collective effort

In the meantime, Galvez commended the COMELEC, BARMM government, local officials and the residents of the SGA for their efforts to ensure the peaceful, orderly and smooth conduct of the plebiscite.

“The plebiscite had an 81 percent voter turnout, which indicates the high level of commitment and participation of the SGA’s residents,” the peace adviser, who personally witnessed the plebiscite, noted.

Galvez who, together with Garcia and other COMELEC commissioners, oversaw the first day of voter registration in Camps Darapanan and Abubakar, underscored the significance of the political exercise for the Bangsamoro people.

He emphasized that voter registration “is the cornerstone of democracy,” as it “empowers individuals to exercise their right to suffrage, contributing to the future of the nation.”

With the first BARMM Regional Parliamentary Elections less than a year away, Sec. Galvez highlighted the importance of ensuring the registration of every eligible voter in the BARMM to foster increased democratic engagement.

“The COMELEC has truly done an outstanding job — both at the national level and here in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao — in ensuring the smooth and orderly conduct of its Register Anywhere Project,” he said.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be part of this collective undertaking, which aims to create an environment where all individuals are free from fear, and assured that their rights and welfare are protected,” Galvez concluded.

Eight new municipalities

The plebiscite, conducted under the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act Nos. 41 to 48, is considered a significant step in enhancing and strengthening the BARMM’s overall governance structure.

Once established, the eight new municipalities that have been created out of the 63 barangays in the SGA, will pave the way for enhanced local governance, improved service delivery, and increased community participation in the development process.

The BARMM chief minister shall appoint an Officer-in-Charge as the interim local executive of each new town.

The Bangsamoro Autonomy Act Nos. 41 to 48 provides for the creation of the municipalities of Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Tugunan, Ligawasan, Malidegao, Old Kabakan, and Kapalawan, all within the province of North Cotabato.

The barangays of Central Labas, Kapinpilan, Malingao, Mudseng, Sambulawan, Tugal, and Tumbras, in Midsayap, North Cotabato, will be part of Kadayangan.

Nabalawag shall be composed of barangays Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kudarangan, Nabalawag, Olandang from the municipality of Midsayap, and Dungguan from the municipality of Aleosan.

Kaabakan will be composed of barangays Buluan, Nangaan, Sanggadong, Simbuhay, Simone, Pedtad, and Tamped, in Kaabakan, North Cotabato.

Barangays Kibayao, Kitulaan, Langogan, Manarapan, Nasapian, Pebpoloan, and Tupig, in Carmen, North Cotabato, will be included in Kapalawan.

Malidegao will be composed of barangays Balungis, Batulawan, Fort Pikit, Gokotan, Nabundas, Nalapaan, and Nunguan in Pikit, North Cotabato.

Tugunan shall be composed of Barangays Balong, Bualan, Lagunde, Macabual, Macasendeg, Manaulanan, Pamalian, Panicupan from the municipality of Pikit, and Tapodoc from the municipality of Aleosan.

Ligawasan shall be composed of Barangays Bagoinged, Barungis, Bulol, Buliok, Gli-Gli, Kabasalan, and Rajamuda from the municipality of Pikit.###