Half of the teachers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are willing to serve in the May 12, 2025 midterm national and local elections, primarily due to security concerns, according to data from the region’s education ministry. Mobarak Pandi, information officer of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), stated that 10,512 teachers in BARMM have formally committed to serve as electoral board members as of March 21, representing 53% of the total teaching workforce, meaning one out of two teachers is willing to participate. Pandi attributed the low willingness to security concerns, lack of internet access in remote areas, and the online volunteer system. The MBHTE, led by Mohagher Iqbal, endorsed these teachers to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which will appoint them as electoral board members. BARMM comprises Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi, with Sulu excluded but still under MBHTE’s jurisdiction. Past elections saw fewer teacher volunteers due to security fears, with BARMM educators facing threats and intimidation. Recent violence, including the ambush of a Maguindanao del Norte election officer and her husband, has heightened concerns. Pandi also cited persistent coordination issues between Comelec officers and MBHTE officials, leading to teacher apprehensions about safety and election efficiency. The MBHTE solicited volunteers through its Administrative Support System, with teacher names certified by school heads, verified by the MBHTE, and endorsed to the Bangsamoro Comelec office. Pandi emphasized the MBHTE’s efforts to strengthen BARMM’s commitment to free, fair, and transparent elections, highlighting educators’ critical role in maintaining electoral integrity.
