MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday appealed for unity “under one nation” following his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a separate Mindanao Republic. 

Duterte recently floated the idea of having Mindanao secede and said he had tasked Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez to gather signatures for their advocacy, citing a supposed "UN process" for it.

Without mentioning Duterte, Marcos said, “I would even venture to say that Bagong Pilipinas is incomplete without a Bangsamoro rising along and within it. ” 

“As brothers and sisters united under one nation, we can forge a better future in a kinder society where opportunities reward hard work, dreams with come true, and peace with justice will reign,” he said at the 17th meeting of the National Government- Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB). 

“A stronger BARMM means a stronger Mindanao. A stronger Mindanao means a stronger Philippines, bringing us closer to achieving our agendas,” he added. 

• Analyst dismayed over Duterte's call for Mindanao secession
• Peace adviser calls out Duterte push to separate Mindanao from PH

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MAY 2025 ELECTIONS 
 
The President said it was important to make BARMM’s first election in May 2025 a success.
 
“Giving the vote to the people to choose their leaders is the logical, succession, evolution, to the grant of self-rule to your land,” Marcos said. 

“I urge all of you, and we will be by your side, to make this very historic election, this very historical and important event a success,” he said.
 
He also urged authorities to counter “forces outside of the democratic process” and to make sure that all voters are able to exercise their rights without violence, intimidation, or bribery.
 
Duterte, the first President from Mindanao, had promised the creation of the Muslim-led Bangsamoro region in the lead-up to the 2016 elections. Halfway through his 6-year term, Duterte delivered on this vow that was hoped to end decades of violence in the south.

• Bangsamoro government rejects Duterte's 'Mindanao republic' proposal

The region was supposed to hold its first elections in 2022. The Bangsamoro sought the poll's 3-year postponement after the COVID-19 crisis delayed aspects of its agreement with government, including the decommissioning of former rebels. 

PROGRAMS FOR BANGSAMORO 

Marcos noted that several programs aim to ensure progress and peace in the Bangsamoro region.
 
These include notes signed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for $6.8-million worth of construction equipment for the road network improvement and disaster quick response operation in BARMM, and the petroleum service and coal operating contracts in the region.
 
“This is one of the many activities that will guarantee an important kind of security for BARMM, and that is energy security because the painful truth is that a politically empowered people living in darkness is not fully empowered at all,” Marcos said. 

• Senators frown at Duterte's 'plan' to 'secede' Mindanao from PH

Marcos added that the Bangsamoro Board of Investments generated about P3.3 billion worth of investments in the last quarter of 2023, creating around 1,927 jobs for the region.