UBJP Leads in BARMM Sectoral Representative Races

MANILA, Philippines – The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) is one step closer to capturing six additional seats allocated to sectoral representatives in the Bangsamoro Parliament, as the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary polls near their conclusion. These six representatives come from the settler communities, women, youth, traditional leaders, and Ulama (Muslim religious leaders) sectors. Elected bets will join the Bangsamoro Parliament alongside the two Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP) representatives selected earlier in August. As of 4:59 pm on Tuesday, September 15, 98.64% of total election returns show that the leading sectoral representatives are: Yul Adelfo Olaya as a representative for settler communities – 747,214 votes Mary Ann Arnado as a representative for settler communities – 687,871 votes Aida Silongan as the representative for women – 722,964 votes Sulffy Abbas as the representative for the youth – 647,399 votes Muhammad Nadzir Ebil as the representative for Ulama – 675,148 votes Marjanie Macasalong as the representative for traditional leaders – 712,547 votes Leticio Datuwata (Lambangian) Jo Genna Jover (Tedurays) These six leading candidates for sectoral representatives were chosen through the direct plurality of valid votes cast for nominees in their representative sectors. This means they appeared as individuals on the ballot and could receive votes from all registered voters — including those who are not part of the sectors the candidates intend to represent. In contrast, the NMIP representatives were chosen during a regional inter-tribal convention based on customary law. In every election cycle, the chosen representatives will rotate among the region’s six major non-Moro indigenous groups: the Teduray, Lambangian, Erumanen ne Menuvu, Dulangan Manobo, Blaan, and Limbubungan Higaonon. Elected parliament members will serve a term from October 30, 2026 to June 30, 2031 that synchronizes the BARMM polls with the national and local elections, according to the Commission on Elections. After that, the region’s parliamentary elections will be held every three years. – Rappler.com