By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday highlighted significant milestones in the country’s peace process, announcing the government’s readiness to formalize a long-awaited peace agreement with the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) while expressing confidence in the upcoming first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Speaking during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the formal completion of the government’s peace pact with the CBA-CPLA comes 15 years after its signing, describing it as a major step toward lasting peace and national unity.
The President also said preparations are in place for BARMM’s first regular parliamentary elections under Republic Act No. 12317, calling the exercise a significant milestone in implementing the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
Marcos said the Commission on Elections, law enforcement agencies, volunteers, and other stakeholders are coordinating closely to ensure that the historic electoral exercise will be peaceful, orderly, and credible.
He expressed hope that these developments would further strengthen national unity while recognizing the country’s cultural and regional diversity.
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