The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is calling on the newly elected members of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliament to make the region “a home for everyone.”

In a pastoral statement Friday, CBCP president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa City asked the new leaders to make the region inclusive and not for Muslims only.

“As the BARMM enters a new chapter, we appeal especially to its leaders: Make the Bangsamoro a home for everyone,” he said.

“Let governance protect the dignity, rights, and religious freedom of every person and community.”

The prelate also urged BARMM leaders to make the common good as basic principle of their governance.

“May they govern not for personal or partisan interests, but for the common good of all — Muslims, Christians, Indigenous Peoples and every community within the Bangsamoro,” Garcera said.

He also called on the people of different faiths to support and work with the leaders.

“May the peoples of Mindanao move forward together, not merely tolerating one another, but knowing one another, respecting one another, and working side by side for the common good,” Garcera said.

On Monday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) held the historic Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections, where over two million registered voters elected 80 district representatives, political parties and parliamentary sectoral organizations

The election also recorded the highest voter turnout ever recorded at 84.34 percent or 2,018,478 voters out of the 2,393,202 total registered voters. (PNA)