[Rappler’s Best] A vote buried in the noise

BARMM. The Philippine flag stands alongside the flag of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao outside the Office of the Chief Minister in Cotabato City. Martin San Diego/Rappler You can’t be blamed for having lost track of the crucial events that led to today’s BARMM elections — because Manila continues to dominate the attention economy with the antics and shenanigans of politicians based here The first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are taking place on September 14, 2026, after multiple delays over four years. The elections are significant as they follow a peace deal signed in 2012 between former president Noynoy Aquino and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has been preparing for self-governance through the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). Despite the historic nature of the elections, challenges remain, including internal conflicts within the MILF, ongoing violence from extremist groups, and political distractions from events in Manila. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. The first of its kind parliamentary elections in the Philippines are finally happening today, Monday, September 14, in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), after repeated postponements in the last four years. Something hopeful is happening in the country, and it’s happening in BARMM, was how civil society groups put it in this curtain-raiser by Iya Gozum. We’re covering the polls live here. The late former president Noynoy Aquino must be wincing in irony, he who paved the way for this historic vote when he shook hands with the rebel commander Ebrahim Murad and signed a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2012. After all, it’s under the son of the dictator who fueled the Mindanao rebellion that these elections are now taking place. The Aquinos have had a soft spot for the MILF. Nearly a year after she was catapulted to power in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, then-president Corazon Aquino met in Cotabato City with the unarmed Murad, who gave her a bouquet of flowers tied with a yellow ribbon. I recalled that moment, and what happened (or did not happen) after, in this piece. Murad and the MILF have controlled the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) that was set up in 2019 after the “yes” vote won in the Bangsamoro plebiscite. The BTA was meant to prepare the region — its bureaucracy, its people — for self-governance and today’s historic polls. What has the BTA accomplished? Watch here. Yet, the MILF found itself repeating the mistakes of its predecessor in the region, the Moro National Liberation Front, as its leaders squabbled over funds, appointments, and Malacañang’s interference. In March 2025, what had been brewing happened: a leadership shake-up ousted Murad as BTA chief minister and put in place the Marcos administration’s bet, Abdulraof Macacua. Today, Murad and the MILF fight for survival and relevance through the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), which is fielding the most number of candidates for district, party, and sectoral seats at 81. Macacua’s Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) is not far behind with 74 candidates. Violence persists, with the region still hobbled by persistent threats from extremists, as pointed out by Reemar Alonsagay in this piece. How can the next BARMM government make sure no one’s left behind? Shay Du lays out the challenges and opportunities in this report. Our reporters Iya Gozum and John Sitchon, who are in Cotabato City, covered the colorful grand rallies of the political parties last Saturday, September 12, (watch their report). While an important political process, the polls have been clouded with uncertainty and fear, Herbie Gomez wrote in this story. These elections are unique for at least five reasons, as explained by Shay Du in this story. Over 600 candidates are vying for just 80 seats — 70% of whom are men and 38% of whom belong to Gen X. Here are the other numbers that matter. In this story, John Sitchon and Shay Du introduce us to the dynasts, elites, and power blocs competing for the polls. What parties are running? Check them out here. You can’t be blamed, though, for having lost track of the crucial events that led to today’s elections — because Manila continues to dominate the attention economy with the antics and shenanigans of politicians based here. Former speaker and presidential cousin Martin Romualdez was charged with plunder on September 7, a non-bailable offense, but, quick to the draw, he had himself confined in Cardinal Santos hospital before he could be served an arrest warrant. Jairo Bolledo walks us through a bizarre timeline of events that led us to yet another Saturday spectacle (after Sara Duterte’s dramatic court entrance the previous Saturday) of authorities moving Romualdez from Cardinal Santos to the Philippine General Hospital, which is now the Sandiganbayan’s refuge for “independent” medical examination of high-profile public officials facing prison. Jairo shows us in this report how to delay detention, Romualdez edition. While Romualdez and his counsels are now in uncharted legal territory, the judiciary handed the other side of the Marcos clan an astounding victory: the Supreme Court reversed a previous court ruling that convicted the President’s 97-year-old mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, of graft in 2018 — and acquitted her. This adds to the list of record-high wins for Marcos family members and their cronies accused of corruption under the Marcos dictatorship. In Mrs. Marcos’ latest victory, what was overturned was the Sandiganbayan’s ruling that she had taken part in the management of Swiss foundations that were set up with public funds amounting to $200 million. The SC’s 1st Division said the evidence against her was not properly authenticated, among other reasons cited for the acquittal. Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda wrote the decision that was concurred in by associate justices Ramon Paul Hernando, Henri Jean Paul Inting, Ricardo Rosario, and Jose Midas Marquez. By the way, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo is retiring in November. The Court in August opened applications for the post. We take this moment to express our condolences to the family of the revered sports journalist Recah Trinidad, who died on Sunday, September 13. Here are some of Rappler’s bests that you shouldn’t miss: Val Villanueva takes a deep dive into documents pertaining to Villar Land’s revaluation and recognition of enormous accounting gains. Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. Mon Abrea tackles a common question nowadays: should billionaires pay more taxes? Lance Spencer Yu explains why removing the much-hated travel tax can be easier said than done. Lourence Angelo Marcellana profiles the Singsons and their unrivaled dominance in Ilocos Sur. Read about other political dynasties here. – Rappler.com Rappler’s Best is a weekly Rappler+ exclusive newsletter of our top picks delivered straight to your inbox every Monday. Visit rappler.com/newsletters to subscribe. 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