EU urges continued support as BARMM begins coalition-building
Coalition-building takes center stage in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the proclamation of its first elected Parliament, with the European Union signaling continued support for the region’s political transition and peace process.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) formally proclaimed the winners of the Sept. 14 parliamentary elections early Wednesday, Sept. 16, completing the transition from the appointed Bangsamoro Transition Authority to an elected 80-member legislature. The new Parliament is set to assume office on Oct. 30, 2026, for a term ending June 30, 2031.
The results produced a hung Parliament, with no single party securing the 41 seats needed for a majority and the formation of a government. The Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) emerged with 31 seats, followed by the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) with 30 and the BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC) with 15. The remaining seats went to smaller parties and representatives.
The numbers mean that coalition-building will be central to the first elected Parliament’s first major task: electing the region’s chief minister and organizing its leadership.
The election marked a major milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process, drawing 108 international observers from 16 organizations and delegations, including EU-Coordinated Diplomacy. Observers also came from Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, China, Türkiye, the United States-based National Democratic Institute, and other institutions.
The EU Delegation in the Philippines said it followed the elections on the ground as part of “Team Europe” with several embassies, describing the vote as “an important moment and a key step in BARMM’s political transition and the peace process.”
“We look forward to continuing our support to the BARMM in cooperation with all stakeholders!” the EU Delegation said in a Facebook post.
The European Union’s message comes as the region moves from electoral competition to the more difficult task of building a governing coalition capable of bringing together different political forces and constituencies.
The joint Asian Network for Free Elections–National Democratic Institute (ANFREL-NDI) technical assessment mission described the election as a historic democratic milestone, while also flagging concerns that require follow-through.
These included localized election-related violence, late delivery of election materials, accessibility problems for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, weaknesses in assisted voting and ballot secrecy, as well as alleged vote-buying and other election offenses. The mission called for transparent investigations, accountability, stronger voter education and reforms to protect voters’ free choice.
With the proclamation completed, the challenge now shifts to the new Parliament: translating the historic vote into an inclusive and accountable regional government while sustaining the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process.
For the EU and other international partners, the next phase will involve continuing to work with BARMM institutions and stakeholders as the region moves from its transition government to its first elected parliamentary administration.
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