Metro Manila — Through the support of the Government of Japan, an agreement was signed to promote voters’ education, ensure inclusion in the democratic process, and support the digitalization process of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in preparation for the pivotal first regular elections for the Bangsamoro Parliament in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in May 2025. 

In a ceremony hosted in Metro Manila, His Excellency Ambassador Endo Kazuya of the Embassy of Japan, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran inked a partnership that will support the 2025 BARMM electoral process and expand the democratic space in a region where poverty reduction and security for all are key priorities. 

COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia provided a message of support through Director and Special Assistant to the Chairperson, Atty. Frances Carolyn Aguindadao-Arabe. “This collaboration has significantly bolstered COMELEC’s capacity to modernize the electoral process, ensuring greater transparency, efficiency, and inclusiveness. The continued support from UNDP has been pivotal in advancing our shared goals of fostering a more democratic and participatory electoral system in the Philippines,” Atty. Aguindadao-Arabe noted. 

The signing was witnessed by Assistant Director Anthon Cayaco of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Mr. Carlos Domingo Guevara of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Rehabilitation, and Unity (OPAPRU). 

The 2025 BARMM elections will mark a significant step towards consolidating the gains of the peace process, enhancing BARMM's capacity for self-governance through an electoral mandate that reflects the aspirations and diversity of its people. 

In his keynote message, Ambassador Kazuya highlighted that the Government of Japan’s “partnership with the COMELEC and the UNDP aims to introduce greater clarity to the electoral process, build up the capacities of concerned stakeholders, and help bring about a more participative voter base through digitalization. Through these collaborative efforts, Japan hopes to be instrumental in fostering involved and informed voters primed for the conduct of this vital democratic exercise.”

The Government of Japan has been a steadfast supporter of the Philippines for the attainment of sustainable development and lasting peace in Mindanao, and a committed development partner of UNDP Philippines.

To support the COMELEC in preparation for the first regular elections for the Bangsamoro Parliament in May 2025, a grant of two hundred and thirty-four million Japanese Yen (¥234,000,000) has been committed by the Government of Japan for the initiative. 

Electoral inclusion will be pivotal in the 2025 BARMM elections—especially the engagement of women, indigenous peoples, youth, and other vulnerable populations. Moreover, voter awareness about the Parliament's role and powers, including the recently promulgated implementing Rules and Regulations of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC), will play an integral role in shaping the outcome of the elections and the immediate future of the region. 

To help augment capacities, UNDP Philippines, in close partnership with COMELEC, will target to enhance democratic participation and inclusion by improving voter education, particularly for those at risk of disenfranchisement and residing in last-mile areas. Through the partnership, data analytics will be utilized to help COMELEC craft interventions specific to the needs of various localities and vulnerable populations. The digitalization of key COMELEC processes will also be undertaken to ensure swift and reliable data flow and processing, and to improve public access to relevant election information nationwide. 

Supervised by the COMELEC through the Bangsamoro Electoral Office (BEO), the 2025 BARMM elections will be guided by the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC). The BEC provides for a democratic and inclusive framework for electoral processes within a parliamentary government. It encompasses mechanisms for voter and party registration, candidacy filing, automated voting, and electoral dispute resolution.

“The project enables UNDP to support COMELEC and contribute to expanding democratic space in a region where poverty reduction and security for all are key priorities, ultimately aiding to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the country,” said Dr. Ramachandran of UNDP Philippines. 

In 2023, UNDP Philippines also supported the strengthening of the digitalization capacity of the COMELEC to promote women’s political participation in the Philippines. [E]