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IAG's Political Education Targets Remote Indigenous Areas

Mar 05, 2025

Around 60 Erumanen ne Menuvu and settler families benefited from much-needed voter education, especially since the upcoming election on May 12 will be the first time people in the SGA will elect their municipal officials. The SGA, comprising 63 barangays across six municipalities in North Cotabato, became part of BARMM following a two-part plebiscite in early 2019.

IAG Delivers Political Education to Underserved Communities

Feb 25, 2025

This South Upi forum, the inaugural event in a series supported by the Australian Government, brought essential political knowledge directly to the grassroots level.

Iranun Corridor in BARMM Poised for Development Boost with Revitalized Alliance

Feb 20, 2025

A renewed sense of unity and collaboration is energizing the Iranun corridor in Maguindanao del Norte, with the relaunch of the Iranun Development Council (IDC). Mayors from the five-municipality alliance—Barira, Buldon, Matanog, Parang, and Sultan Mastura—formalized their commitment to joint development efforts by signing a memorandum of agreement and inaugurating the new IDC office in Parang on February 19, 2025.

EXPLAINER: Ganito ang magiging eleksyon sa BARMM

Jan 24, 2025

Nakatakda ang kauna-unahang BARMM parliamentary elections sa October 13, 2025. Dahil first time at kumplikado ito, gumawa ang Facts First team ni Christian Esguerra ng video para mas maunawaan ito ng mga botante sa BARMM.

IAG Report: SGA Cannot Be a Province Under the Local Government Code

Dec 05, 2024

The Institute for Autonomy and Governance has released a report stating that the Special Geographic Area does not currently meet the population, land area, and income criteria necessary to be constituted as a province under the Local Government Code.

NDU Forum Highlights BARMM 2025 Elections, Urges Academic Engagement

Dec 04, 2024

In a forum held at Notre Dame University (NDU) in Cotabato City, Atty. Benedicto Bacani, Executive Director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), shed light on the upcoming BARMM 2025 Elections and the associated challenges and opportunities.

FACTS FIRST: BARMM elections pinapa-postpone uli!

Nov 15, 2024

Christian Esguerra interviewed IAG Executive Director Benedicto Bacani to discuss calls for the postponement of the BARMM regional elections.

IAG Forum Explores Implications of Sulu’s Exclusion from BARMM

Nov 12, 2024

Supported by the Australian Government, the forum provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from Sulu’s exclusion from the BARMM.

POLICY BRIEF: Lessons for Creating Regional Governments

IAG Philippines I Mar 05, 2025

As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) moves towards its historic first parliamentary election in 2025, the lessons learned from the ARMM's experience are more relevant than ever. Read more

POLICY BRIEF: Harnessing Indigenous Storytelling for Advocacy and Cultural Preservation

IAG Philippines I Jan 24, 2025

Indigenous peoples contribute to cultural heritage and social continuity. Yet, many of these are not yet visible in literature and are usually considered 'subjugated knowledge', meaning they are marginalized or suppressed. One of these is the Indigenous art of storytelling. Read more

Elevating SGA to a Province: Legal Challenges and Opportunities

IAG Philippines I Dec 04, 2024

This report assesses the viability of making the SGA a province in BARMM and its potential impact on the 2025 elections. It concludes that the SGA doesn't qualify as a province and proposes its annexation to Maguindanao del Norte. The report stresses the importance of congressional approval and community engagement for this change. Read more

IAG and CCAA: No legitimacy or rationale for postponing the BARMM regional elections

IAG Philippines I Nov 15, 2024

The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) and the Climate Conflict Action (CCAA) see no legitimate or valid reason behind the proposal to postpone the Bangsamoro regional election to address so-called representation issues surrounding the Supreme Court’s decision to recognize Sulu’s desire for exclusion from the BARMM. Read more

The MP's Little Green Book

IAG Philippines I Oct 09, 2024

"The MP's Little Green Book" is designed to assist first-time Bangsamoro Members of Parliament (MPs) in performing their duties. It offers a simple and accessible guide to the parliamentary system, serving as a helpful resource for current and future MP's and their staff alongside other reading materials. Read more

Setting Baselines: Preparing the BARMM Electorate for the First Ever Regional Parliamentary Elections in 2025

IAG Research I Jun 19, 2024

As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) prepares for its 2025 parliamentary elections, acquiring knowledge about the demographics of voters becomes crucial for political parties and policymakers striving to effectively engage with constituents. This groundbreaking report offers essential insights into voter profiles, the electorate's readiness for the 2025 polls, sources of information regarding political parties, top issues and... Read more

It's in the MILF’s interest to accommodate IPRA in the Bangsamoro

Soliman M. Santos, Jr. I Jun 07, 2024

Given the urgency surrounding the proposed BARMM IP Code (Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Development Act of 2024) and the ongoing violence affecting the Teduray-Lambangian tribe and other non-Moro IPs in Maguindanao, I’m sharing my previously confidential 9-page memo from January 7, 2015. The memo advises selected MILF leaders on the importance of accommodating IPRA (Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act) within the Bangsamoro... Read more

Protecting Identity and Ancestral Domain: The Urgent Need for Safeguards for Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples in the BARMM

Benedicto Bacani I May 08, 2024

IAG is of the belief that considering the current context by which the IP Code is legislated, it is not the MILF-led BTA, but the national government and to a certain extent the international community that supports the peace process, that hold the key to ensuring that the NMIP does not end up as the sacrificial lambs to attain “peace”... Read more

Four Rebel Group Amnesties: Win Some, Lose Some

Soliman M. Santos, Jr. I Apr 17, 2024

Four amnesty proclamations (Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406) for various rebel groups, dated 22 November 2023, have been approved by both Houses of Congress. This approval puts them into effect and allows the National Amnesty Commission to start processing amnesty applications. Read more

LEGAL REVIEW: BTA Bill No. 273, the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Development Act of 2024

IAG Philippines I Apr 16, 2024

Earlier this year, the Bangsamoro Government introduced BTA Parliament Bill No. 237, also known as the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Development Act of 2024. This legislation aims to recognize, develop, and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Read more

PETITIONS ON BARMM REGIONAL CODES

Bangsamoro Local Governance Code

Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition under Rule 65

Bangsamoro Electoral Code

Petition-In-Intervention for Certiorari, Prohibition, Mandamus with Urgent Relief for the Issuance of Status Quo Ante Order (Latiph)
Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court (Pansar)
Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court (Mastura)

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PETITIONS ON BARMM REGIONAL CODES