BARMM Polls: Bangsamoro Federalist Party Dominates Bloc Nominations

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) emerged as the leading party in the bloc nomination race for the 80-seat parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to initial tallies from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) released yesterday. The BFP garnered 181,246 votes, surpassing the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front with 135,932 votes, and the BARMM Government Coalition (BGC) with 102,891 votes. The BFP is headed by BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, who also secured a district representative seat covering parts of Cotabato City and several barangays in Maguindanao del Norte province. Up to 14 BFP candidates won parliamentary seats across 32 districts, defeating rivals from other parties during the Sept. 14 electoral exercise. The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) received the first electronic vote transmissions from BARMM, with Tawi-Tawi, despite having fewer voters, posting the highest vote completion rate at 41 percent as of 7:20 p.m. on election day. Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Basilan, the Special Geographic Area, and Lanao del Sur followed with varying completion rates. Meanwhile, PPCRV data also showed Marjanie Macasalong leading the parliamentary sectoral representative race for traditional leaders, followed by Sultan Pax Mangundadatu and Panga Ibay. For the Ulama sector, Muhammad Nadzir Ebil led, with Alibasher Abdullatif and Marhan Borhan trailing. As of yesterday morning, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. reported that 98.48 percent of polling centers had completed voting, with personnel remaining engaged and coordination lines open until all election activities concluded. More than 10,439 police personnel were deployed across BARMM, including 5,045 securing voting centers. Despite cases of violence during the election, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento described the first parliamentary elections in BARMM as "very successful." He told The STAR that the Sept. 14 elections compared favorably with previous elections in areas that formerly comprised the ARMM, noting a significantly lower death toll. Sarmiento stressed that voting was orderly in most areas, and the calm that descended after the results were released indicated the electorate's acceptance. Sarmiento also congratulated the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP for their crisis management and quick response to isolated cases of violence. "I salute them for a job well done," he said. At least three people were killed and 20 others, including three police officers, were wounded in shootings and other forms of violence in the region during the elections. Four people were reported killed and 19 injured in election-related incidents in Cotabato City, though police described these as isolated. A total of 14 incidents were recorded on election day, including shootings, an explosion, commotions, firefights, and a strafing incident.