The past year saw delays in some of the administration’s biggest peacemaking commitments: the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections and peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
Postponed a second time since the 2019 establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections will now be held on Oct. 13 instead of coinciding with the May 12 national and local elections.
Lawmakers reset the Bangsamoro polls after the Supreme Court ruled on Sept. 9, 2024 to exclude Sulu from the BARMM since its residents voted against the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the 2018 referendum.
As such, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified as urgent a bill filed last January postponing the Bangsamoro polls, which he then signed into law on Feb. 19. The BARMM government welcomed the move.
“We remain committed to upholding democratic principles, fostering meaningful political participation and maximizing the transition period to establish a more stable and effective government for the Bangsamoro,” said Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim on Feb. 22.
On the other hand, peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines, through its political wing the NDFP, are “[pushed] to the brink of collapse,” said CPP interim chair Julieta De Lima in an Oct. 28, 2024 statement.
Though exploratory talks have taken place after signing a joint communique on Nov. 23, 2023, the Marcos administration and the NDFP have pointed fingers on who is to blame for the stalled progress.
On Sept. 4, 2024, De Lima said she had observed “contradictory signals” from Marcos’ panel. She also decried the absence of protective orders for the NDFP panel and the supposed illegal arrests of three consultants in October 2024.
“By repeatedly violating these protections, the [government of the Republic of the Philippines] has disregarded its own commitments,” De Lima said.
However, National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya blamed the CPP for the delays. He expressed hesitation to continue the negotiations because the CPP reaffirmed its commitment to armed struggle.
“We are committed to the peace talks provided [the CPP] will really give up the armed struggle,” said Malaya in a Sept. 9, 2024 interview on People’s Television Network.
Find out more about Marcos’ SONA promise on the peace process:
