AHEAD of the October 13 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking at holding a separate election for sectoral representatives next month.
In an interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they are looking to hold the election of eight sectoral representatives for the Bangsamoro parliamentary by September.
“All organizations belonging to the same sector accredited by the Comelec will gather together for one day and elect their representatives in parliament. This is for 2025,” said Garcia.
“We can expect that by the month of September, these organizations will be able to elect eight representatives,” he added.
Under the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, there will be eight elected sectoral representative members of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament, specifically two seats each for Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP) and settler communities; and one seat each for women, youth, traditional leaders, and the Ulama.
For the October 2025 BPE, however, the selection of the sectoral representatives in the BARMM parliament shall be on the basis of election during assemblies especially called for the purpose by registered and accredited sectoral organizations of women, settlers, youth, Ulama, traditional leaders, and NMIP.
“For the first parliamentary election in 2025, they will be the only ones who will vote amongst themselves. That is, all organizations belonging to the same sector that have been accredited by the Comelec,” said Garcia.
He said around 1,500 organizations have sought accreditation from the Comelec.
“Currently, we have accredited about 200 (organizations) to participate in the election of their sectoral representatives,” said Garcia.
Come the October 13 BPE, BARMM voters will elect Regional Parliament Political Parties (40 seats) and district representatives (25 seats).
