DAVAO CITY – With just about a year before the 2025 polls, political groups are now flexing their muscles for the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
BANGSAMORO Grand Coalition leaders. (Contributed photo)
Over the weekend, opposing political groups gathered to purportedly consolidate their supporters as well as forge alliances. The first parliamentary elections in BARMM coincides with the local elections next year.
On April 27, officials and members of the Al Ittihad-Ungaya Ku Kawagibu Bangsamoro (UKB) gathered in Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao del Sur. Datu Abdullah Sangki is the hometown of Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Mariam Mangudadatu.
Aside from its 5,000 supporters, among the political bigwigs from BARMM’s island provinces who attended the event were Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Basilan Rep. and former ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, and Sulu Rep. Munir N. Arbison Jr.
Also present were members of prominent political clans in Central Mindanao, including Maguindanao del Norte Rep. Dimple Mastura, Vice Gov. Bai Ainee Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Datu Lester Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Sur Rep. Tong Paglas, former Maguindanao Rep. Roonie Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Sur Vice Gov. Nathaniel Midtimbang, and Lanao del Sur Mayors' League President and Serbisyong Inklusibo Alyansang Progresibo (SIAP) party chairman Atty. Dimnatang Pansar.
Touted as the BARMM Grand Coalition, it was the first gathering of political party leaders from different political groups.
The coalition is composed of SIAP, founded by Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, that recently forged an alliance with other political parties like the Al-Ittihad-UKB Party and the Bangsamoro People’s Party (BPP).
Al-Ittihad-UKB was founded by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu Hataman.
In a statement, Mangudadatu said that the gathering of the political parties is a proof that Bangsamoro people is hoping for a fair and peaceful election in BARMM in 2025.
Mangudadatu noted that their supporters also believe in the advocacy of inclusive governance, development, peace, and unity, as well as the commitment to the implementation of the peace agreement in the Bangsamoro region.
In 2013, Hataman ran for ARMM governor against Mangudadatu’s father, Datu Pax Mangudadatu, and won. Three years later, he ran against Tan and won his second term as ARMM governor.
“In my own province of Basilan, the Akbar family used to be my political opponents. But now I’m here with the mayors who were used to be aligned with the Akbars,” the former ARMM governor emphasized in his speech during the SIAP gathering in Marawi City on Sunday, April 28.
Hataman added that the Bangsamoro is not just about the Meranaws and the Moro Islamic and National Liberation Fronts. “It is for everyone. It should be fair and inclusive.”
Cracks showing up
Cracks are apparently showing up in the MILF-led United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) as two of its prominent members bolted and joined SIAP.
Cotabato City Vice Mayor Joharie “Butch” Abu announced over the weekend that he will join SIAP.
Abu took his oath as SIAP member along with five Cotabato City Councilors – Hunyn Abu, Marouf Pasawiran, Henjie Ali, Abdulrakim Gabby Usman, and Kusin Taha. With the vice mayor was the chairmen of the 18 barangays in the city.
They took their oath before thousands of their supporters in Cotabato City last Saturday.
Abu is a son of the late Hadji Salik Abu, popularly known as Ghadzali Jaafar, the MILF’s first vice chairman for political affairs.
A few weeks ago, Abu was inducted into President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
In a statement, Abu admitted that leaving UBJP was not an easy decision as he disclosed his intention to “seek a higher position.”
His departure from UBJP sparked debates among Cotabato City residents as well as rumors that Abu may challenge his 2022 running-mate and incumbent Mayor Mohammad “Bruce” Matabalao.
Aside from Abu, former BARMM local government minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo also took his oath as SIAP member and party’s president in Cotabato City and BARMM Special Geographic Areas.
Sinarimbo was among the key personalities who played a vital role in the formation of UBJP until it was officially accredited as a political party by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
A day after his oathtaking, Sinarimbo joined the SIAP General Assembly in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, the bailiwick of the SIAP president. Also present were Lanao del Sur Gov. Bombit Adiong and Abu.
In a Facebook post, Sinarimbo pointed out that the future of political power in the region does not anymore rest in the control of one political party.
“It will have to be shared by parties in coalition. It will be best for allied or coalesced parties to not be at odds with any rival political parties. While we can compete, we should also collaborate," he wrote.
Unfazed
During a gathering in Cotabato City on Sunday, BARMM Chief Minister and UBJP President Ahod Ebrahim admitted that his party will face challenges in the parliamentary elections.
Ebrahim called on their supporters to strengthen their ranks and support the UBJP in the elections.
He welcomed the forging of coalitions among political parties in the region. “Wala namang problema ‘yun (There is no problem), it is allowed by the law.”
While they are formalizing some coalition with other regional parties, Ebrahim said the UBJP remains unfazed.