Manila: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is urging the newly elected members of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliament to ensure the region becomes 'a home for everyone.' In a recent pastoral statement, CBCP president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa City emphasized the importance of inclusivity and asked the new leaders to make the region welcoming to all, not just Muslims.

According to Philippines News Agency, Archbishop Garcera called on the leaders to protect the dignity, rights, and religious freedom of every person and community within the region. He urged that governance in BARMM should be guided by the principle of the common good, transcending personal or partisan interests to serve Muslims, Christians, Indigenous Peoples, and all communities.

Garcera also appealed to the diverse peoples of Mindanao to support and collaborate with BARMM leaders, advocating for mutual understanding and respect among different faiths. He emphasized the need for communities to work together for the common good, moving beyond mere tolerance to genuine cooperation.

The call from CBCP follows the historic Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday. The elections saw over two million registered voters casting their ballots to elect 80 district representatives, political parties, and parliamentary sectoral organizations. Remarkably, the election achieved the highest voter turnout ever recorded in the region, with 84.34 percent of the 2,393,202 registered voters participating.