BARMM campaign opens: Comelec puts political machinery under watch

COTABATO CITY (July 30) — THE Bangsamoro’s parliamentary campaign begins Thursday, July 30, putting candidates, political parties and government officials under a watchful eye as the region heads toward a landmark election that could test whether public power can be kept out of the political contest.

The campaign for the September 14 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) runs until September 12 under Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 11214.

For voters, however, the campaign period is not simply the start of rallies, posters and promises. It is also when the line between campaigning and the use of money, government influence and public resources can become harder to see.

That is precisely why the Comelec has imposed a list of restrictions.

Candidates and their relatives are prohibited from giving donations during the campaign period. Government agencies are barred from appointing special police personnel or confidential agents, hiring new employees or creating new positions, and promoting government workers or granting them salary increases.

The release or disbursement of public funds and the conduct of public works construction are also prohibited.

The restrictions are significant in BARMM communities where government remains a major source of jobs, services, infrastructure and assistance—and where political influence can carry consequences far beyond the campaign trail.

The Comelec likewise prohibits the use of armored land, water or air vehicles and the deployment of police personnel as bodyguards or security escorts.

Lawful campaign materials cannot be removed, defaced or tampered with.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body will closely monitor campaign activities across the region and reminded candidates, political parties, sectoral organizations and the public to follow election rules.

“We would like to remind the candidates, the public, political parties, and sectoral organizations that the campaign period will begin tomorrow. We urge the candidates to observe campaign rules and regulations,” Garcia said.

But the bigger question is not whether rules exist. It is whether they will be enforced.

The campaign period will put the Comelec’s monitoring capacity to a critical test, particularly in communities where political networks are deeply rooted and where government resources can have an immediate impact on voters’ lives.

The restrictions on public funds, appointments, promotions and public works are designed to prevent the machinery of government from being turned into a campaign advantage.

For ordinary voters, that makes the campaign more than a contest of slogans.

They have a stake in watching who suddenly gains access to government resources, who receives favors, which projects are pushed or announced, and whether public officials are acting for public service—or political advantage.

The Comelec’s warning therefore puts responsibility on both sides of the political equation: candidates must obey the rules, while voters and communities must remain alert to possible abuses and report violations through proper channels.

The September 14 election is a major step in BARMM’s transition to regular parliamentary governance.

But the credibility of that transition will depend not only on who wins.

It will also depend on whether voters are allowed to make that choice without money, government machinery or political intimidation tipping the scales.

For BARMM communities, that is the real campaign to watch.