Thousands appeared at the streets in Cotabato City on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to show support for the Bangsamoro Federalist Party while its officials filed then at the Bangsamoro regional office of the Commission on Elections a petition for permission to participate in autonomous region’s September parliamentary polls. (John Unson)
COTABATO CITY, Philippines โ Sixteen regional political parties are preparing to field candidates in the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on September 14, according to the Commission on Elections.
The polls will mark a historic transition for BARMM, where members of the 80-seat parliament have so far been appointed by Ferdinand Marcos Jr.. The elected body will serve a six-year term.
Among the parties seeking to participate is the newly-formed Bangsamoro Federalist Party, which claims a broad base of support across the regionโs provinces, including incumbent local executives. It joins other major blocs such as the Bangsamoro Party of the Moro National Liberation Front and Serbisyong Inklusibo, Alyansang Progresibo.
The United Bangsamoro Justice Party, the political arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, has also fielded candidates for the upcoming race.
Supporters of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party turned out in force on Tuesday, April 7, with thousands of Muslim and Christian backers โ including members of the Teduray indigenous group โ gathering near the 32-hectare BARMM government complex in Cotabato City during the partyโs filing of its petition for accreditation.
At least 200 local officials, barangay leaders, and traditional Moro and Christian leaders from across BARMM also signaled their support for the party during the event. Lawyer Rey Sumalipao filed the petition of the group before regional Comelec officials.
Among those who submitted the documents were BARMM parliament members Naguib Sinarimbo, Tumanda Antok, and Michael Midtimbang.
Speaking to reporters, Sinarimbo said the party recognizes Abdulrauf Macacua as its preferred figurehead for the regional government, should he decide to run and the elections proceed as scheduled. โOur favored bet for chief minister is our current most senior official, Chief Minister Macacua, if he seeks a parliamentary seat,โ Sinarimbo said.
The Bangsamoro Party of the MNLF, led by senior officials including BARMM Labor Minister Muslimin Sema, was the first to seek Comelec approval to join the elections. The group has positioned itself as promoting non-confrontational politics, discouraging members from attacking rival parties in the media or on online platforms.
Another MNLF-linked group, the Mahardika Party, will also field its own candidates. BARMM parliament member Abdulkarim Misuari is the party chief.
Observers look at the September 14 polls as a crucial step in the normalization process in BARMM. It will transition the region from an appointed interim government to a fully elected parliamentary system.
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