President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently met with governors from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to bolster collaboration for a peaceful, transparent, and credible midterm election in May 2025. The meeting, held at the Aguado Residence in Manila, addressed political stability in BARMM, amid rising tensions linked to the upcoming electoral contest.
Among those attending were BARMM governors Hajiman Hataman (Basilan), Yshmael Sali (Tawi-Tawi), Mamintal Adiong (Lanao del Sur), and Abdulraof Macacua (Maguindanao del Norte). Presidential Special Assistant Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo, Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, and Mindanao Development Authority chief Leo Magno also participated.
“On the President’s directive, SAP Antonio Lagdameo initiated a comprehensive consultation to solidify cooperation between Manila and Mindanao leaders, ensuring peaceful, transparent, and credible elections next year,” stated the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
The meeting also included gubernatorial aspirants Datu Tucao Mastura and Datu Ali Midtimbang from Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, respectively, as influential political figures discussed strategies for addressing unique challenges in BARMM.
The PCO underscored that the consultation aimed to “enhance the alliance between local leaders and the national government” in safeguarding electoral integrity in the region.
