Here’s what BARMM voters want from their future leaders

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – What do the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) voters want from candidates who will be elected in their first-ever parliamentary election?

Rappler asked students, workers, and civil society members in Cotabato City what they think candidates should prioritize as the historic BARMM parliamentary elections draw closer, during its public forum, “#AmbagNatin: Boto para sa Bangsamoro,” held on June 9, at Notre Dame University (NDU) Cotabato City.

The forum brought together voters, civil society leaders, and academics to discuss the pressing issues in the Bangsamoro region, and featured a simulated mock election facilitated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to help participants better understand the parliamentary voting process.

The public forum was part of Rappler’s voter empowerment roadshow in Cotabato City from June 7 to 9, which also included workshops aimed at training communication students, student journalists, and advocates to become Rappler volunteers or Movers and pursue local stories with support from Rappler.  

This roadshow is in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines and in partnership with NDU, Institute for Autonomy and Governance, BALAOD Mindanaw, and the COMELEC.   

Watch this video as participants share what they think should be the top priorities of the candidates who will be elected in the first BARMM parliamentary elections.

What do you think should be the top priorities for BARMM’s future leaders? Share your thoughts in the Bangsamoro Voices chat room on the Rappler app.

This video is produced by Bangsamoro Movers, Datu Nur-Faiz Usop, Zeina Ramirez, and Mohammad Khalil Baganian. – Rappler.com 

Zeina M. Ramirez is a writer at The Torch and Rappler Mover based in Sultan Kudarat.

Mohammad Khalil Kasim Baganian is a researcher and Rappler Mover based in Cotabato City.

Datu Nur-Faiz Usop is a youth leader and Rappler Mover based in Cotabato City.