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MANILA, April 5, 2026 (SDN) — The political pot in the Bangsamoro region is a-boil!
On April 4, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political party and political wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) announced their 40 nominees for the historic political exercise that shall determine the inaugural elected composition of the novel Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Headed by MILF Chair Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim as president, the UBJP announcement of the nominees came shortly after the submission to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Cotabato City of its “manifestation and intention to participate” in the first regular regional elections.
Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Mohammad S. Yacob made the announcement amidst a sea of UBJP officials and members as members of the local media jostled for the chance to ask questions and document the activities.
Over in Davao City, a new regional party dubbed the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) emerged, apparently positioning towards the parliamentary polls.
The BFP had its first General Assembly and Party Convention on Thursday, April 2, during which the party elected its officials who will guide the organization moving forward.
A well-attended event, the program covers “a comprehensive party orientation, as well as the selection and confirmation of party members and officers”, according to CCN News DMSTV on Facebook.
The BFP election of officers had Member of the Parliament (MP) Tomanda D. Antok as party chairman and president, Jordan S. Bayam as the vice chairman for the General Party Committee.
Rounding out the BFP officials are:
- Suwaib L. Oranon – Vice President for Internal Affairs
- Sharifuddin Tucao P. Mastura – Vice President for External Affairs
- Nathaniel M. Midtimbang – Vice President for Political Affairs
- Akmad L. Abas – Vice President for Special Concerns
- Tamano A. Macacua – Secretary General
- Dayan Lao Andoy – Deputy Secretary General and Election Committee Chairman
- Mubarak D. Tiboron – Executive Director
On the other hand, the head of the party’s various committees formed to make a stronger organizational structure were also formed, such as:
- Kitem D. Kadatuan, Jr. – Finance Committee
- Alindatu K. Pagayao – Nomination Committee
- Quraishi T. Langcap – Membership Committee
- Ma-Arouph B. Candao – Arbitral Committee
The party also has representatives from various sectors, namely:
- ERIKA MAY I. DRAPER Erika May I Draper – Law Committee
- Jehan Amella Usop – Women’s Sector
- Nur-Jamil Apbet Ibrahim – Youth Sector
- Abdulgani Casim Pakir – Ulama Sector
- Susana S. Anayatin – Settlers Sector
- Guimal B. Abdurahim – Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples Sector
- Datuteng U. Gumbila – Traditional Leaders Sector
Meanwhile, the party voted Butch P. Malang as Special Geographic Area (SGA) Provincial Chapter President.
Expect other BARMM regional political parties accredited by the Comelec to show up and make themselves felt by the voting population of the region.
On March 26, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed Republic Act (RA) No. 12317 which resets the parliamentary elections to September 14 this year.
Credit to Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives passed their respective bills on the BARMM polls, resulting in RA No. 12317, thus the first and pioneering parliamentary political exercise in the region is off, hopefully, to its conduct after postponement of four times.
Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Lanao del Rep. Ziaur-Rahman A. Adiong and other legislators from both chambers were key players in the realization of RA No. 12317.
The first regular elections in the Bangsamoro region is a much-debated and much-anticipated political activity that would determine the fate of the seven years old political entity borne out of the 17 years of the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF. It ended a turbulent phase in Southern Philippines, particularly Central Mindanao, in an internecine conflict pitting Filipinos against Filipinos.
Their negotiations resulted in the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) on March 27, 2026, and is being implemented by the 2018 Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). — EDD K. USMAN (/)