Paisal Sali to represent Basilan's 2nd District in BARMM Parliament

Paisal Sali is on his way to securing a seat as Basilan’s 2nd District representative in the Bangsamoro Parliament after the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections on Monday, September 14. He used to be municipal administrator of the Basilan town of Akbar, which his relatives continue to lead as mayor and vice mayor. His win assures the Sali clan of an additional government position. Sali is leading a six-way race after receiving 27,954 votes. This is based on 98.60% of total election returns from the Commission on Elections media server as of Tuesday, September 15, 12:59 pm. He ran under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party or UBJP, the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Sali’s closest contender for the district seat is Abdulsamie Kallahal, son of Tuburan Mayor Durie Kallahal and former councilor in the same town. The Bangsamoro Peoples Party bet is currently in second, with 25,035 votes — making it impossible to overtake Sali. Trailing behind them is peace negotiator Abbas Basang Salung, who is also a former acting chairman of the MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities. He ran under the MILF’s rival party, the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, ranking third with 4,961 votes. Other candidates who ranked in the bottom three are: Bangsamoro Party bet Khalid Ajul Hassan, son of former Bangsamoro deputy speaker Hatimil Hassan Independent candidate Altun Tadjalla Angeles, former Basilan provincial board member and Tipo-Tipo councilor Independent candidate and Tipo-Tipo resident Jaypee Jannatil Kinjing As the winning candidate for Basilan 2nd District representative, Sali will serve a special five-year transition term from October 30, 2026, to June 30, 2031. He will be one of the 32 district representatives making up 40% of the 80-seat Bangsamoro Parliament.