Political shakeup in BARMM continues ahead of Sept. 14 polls

COTABATO CITY — The shakeup in political alignments continues ahead of the official start of campaigning for the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) set on Sept. 14.

More political leaders have left the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) to join the newly formed Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), with the latest to join the exodus being Maguindanao del Sur Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

Mangudadatu won in the 2025 local elections under the banner of the UBJP, the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

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Mangudadatu formally took his oath as a BFP member before BFP President and Member of Parliament Tomanda Antok, along with local officials from the municipalities of Paglat, Buluan, Mangudadatu and Datu Paglas in Maguindanao del Sur.

Member of Parliament Naguib Sinarimbo, BFP chapter head for Cotabato City, said the party welcomes everyone who believes in inclusive governance in the Bangsamoro.

“We continue to bring together everyone in the Bangsamoro so we can have a party and a government in the Bangsamoro that is truly inclusive,” Sinarimbo said.

Speaking during the oath-taking ceremony on Thursday, Mangudadatu said he decided to join the BFP because he found the party to be development-oriented, service-driven, and committed to the welfare of the people.

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“But I am not saying the UBJP is otherwise,” Mangudadatu said in the vernacular, as he thanked the UBJP leadership for the camaraderie and support during his time with the party.

Mangudadatu’s move came days after Member of Parliament Kellie Antao, a longtime UBJP member, also left the party and joined the BFP on July 14. The BFP has expressed full support for BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua’s bid to become the region’s first elected chief minister should he win in the regional polls.

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Macacua is running as an independent candidate for representative of the 3rd parliamentary district of Maguindanao del Norte.

Antao likewise took his oath before Antok.

On Thursday, Macacua appointed Antao as administrator of the Bangsamoro’s Special Geographic Area (SGA), replacing Member of Parliament Butch Malang, who is seeking election as SGA district representative under the BFP.

Earlier, on June 12, Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao, who also won under the UBJP in the 2025 local elections, announced his transfer to the BFP.

Matabalao described the move as a personal decision but declined to elaborate on his reasons for leaving the MILF’s political party.

“I hope my supporters will understand my decision,” Matabalao told reporters.

He also thanked UBJP President and MILF Chairman Ahod Balawag Ebrahim for the support extended to him during his mayoral campaign.

Cotabato City Vice Mayor Johair Madag and several city councilors likewise joined the BFP.

Several other local officials from Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi have also transferred to the BFP in recent weeks.

The UBJP is yet to comment on the exodus of party members to another political party in BARMM.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections, through Resolution No. 11248, designated the UBJP as the dominant majority party and the BFP as the dominant minority party for the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.

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The poll body has classified other political parties taking part in the elections as major political parties./coa