Here’s what BARMM voters want from their future leaders

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

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.