Participants of the dialogue sign their commitment to peaceful elections. Photo: Columban Fr Rex Rocamora.
As tensions simmered ahead of the elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in August, an unprecedented alliance of religious leaders rose above division to champion peace and integrity. This powerful article by Columban Fr Rex Rocamora dives into how Christian, Muslim, and Indigenous faith leaders came together in a historic interfaith dialogue, forging a shared vision for clean, honest, and violence-free elections. Discover how their united voices and moral leadership shaped a blueprint for values-driven governance and empowering communities to reclaim their future at the ballot box. This is more than politics – it’s a movement rooted in faith, trust, and hope.
Religious and civic leaders from across Mindanao, Philippines, gathered on 5 August 2025 at Notre Dame University for the Mindanao Religious Leaders Conference (MiRLeC), rallying behind the theme “Faith and Peace in Action: A Multi-Sectoral Dialogue for Peaceful BARMM Election”.
The event served as more than a symbolic gathering – it became a strategic turning point in preparing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections. Leaders from Muslim, Christian, and Indigenous communities, including Columban Fr Rex Rocamora, called for turning dialogue into direct action to combat electoral violence, vote-buying, and disinformation.
A key challenge highlighted was the lack of voter awareness, particularly among the youth. A representative from the Ulama Supreme Council warned that many first-time voters remain unfamiliar with the parliamentary system, making them vulnerable to manipulation. The consensus: religious leaders must lead civic education efforts in mosques, churches, and community spaces.
Two khutbas (sermons) on Islamic perspectives of democracy and parliamentary governance were presented as tools for imams and asatidz to promote ethical political participation. “Building trust in the electoral process requires faith-based guidance and community commitment,” said Dr Mohammad Nadzir Ebil, MiRLeC Vice Chair.
MiRLeC Chair Bishop Edwin de la Peña urged religious groups to organise candidate forums, giving communities space to question aspirants and hold them accountable to moral standards. Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta issued a fatwa detailing Quran-based criteria for selecting leaders, an unprecedented effort to guide voters through values, not patronage.
Interreligious leaders emphasised the moral responsibility of faith-based institutions. Reverend May Casada highlighted the role of persistent dialogue in enabling change, citing the progress of women’s ordination. “Active participation in democracy is a form of stewardship,” added Fr Clifford Baira. Bishops Ernie Moral and Mark Dimerin echoed the call for religious institutions to be moral compasses, not political players.
A recorded message from Cardinal Orlando Quevedo stressed the inclusion of youth, women, and Indigenous peoples, groups historically excluded from political processes. This message aligned with the upcoming Mindanao Week of Peace 2025, which focuses on youth and family-driven peacebuilding.
Closing the event, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr of OPAPRU praised the dialogue’s interfaith and multi-sectoral unity. The symbolic signing of a commitment banner by representatives of marginalised sectors sealed a powerful message: peaceful elections are possible when faith communities unite around shared values.
Columban Fr Rex Rocamora.
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban Interfaith eBulletin
