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SAN JUAN CITY – Journalists in Metro Manila were given updates on the Bangsamoro peace process, regional developments, and preparations for the first parliamentary elections during the final leg of a media orientation held here on September 26.
The orientation – the last in a four-part series that also covered the cities of Cotabato (August 12), Zamboanga (August 18), and Cagayan de Oro (September 5)–was organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), in partnership with the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS), the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Executive Director Jordan Bayam of OPAPRU’s Office of the Bangsamoro Transformation Cluster (BTC) stressed that it is critical for the media to report what is truly happening in the region, especially at a time when social media has become highly influential.
“Napakahalaga po ng role ninyo kung paano ilathala, ibahagi, ipaunawa sa mamamayang Bangsamoro, lalo na dito sa Luzon, kung ano ang katotohanan na nangyayari sa baba,” Bayam said.
(Translation: Your role is very important in how you publish, share, make it understand for the Bangsamoro people, especially here in Luzon, on what is the true happenings on the ground.)
Bangsamoro Cabinet Secretary Mohamad Asnin K. Pendatun presented updates on the transition period and latest developments in the region, while Atty. Jurhaiza Jupurie, representing Member of Parliament (MP) Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, discussed the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC).
Comelec Spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco also briefed participants on the status of the first BARMM parliamentary elections scheduled on October 13, citing the impact of the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order (TRO).
“Kailangang bigyang-linaw po ito: we did not postpone the elections. Hindi po manggagaling sa COMELEC yan. We have no power to say na walang election na magaganap,” he emphasized.
(Translation: We have to make this clear: we did not postpone the election. That will not come from Comelec. We have no power to say that there will be no election to happen.)
“What is clear right now is that we cannot proceed with whatever we are doing [preparations] until the Supreme Court lifts the TRO or decides otherwise,” Laudiangco explained.
The media orientation series sought to strengthen government-media collaboration in promoting accurate reporting on the Bangsamoro peace process, electoral preparations, and regional developments. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)