COTABATO CITY, Philippines – An independent candidate filed his certificate of candidacy for a seat in the parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as the filing period opened on Monday morning, November 4.
Abdulhadie “Manda” Gumander, a district representative aspirant for Maguindanao del Norte from a religious group, filed as an independent candidate by mid-morning in Cotabato City.
Gumander said that despite his independent status, he is allied with the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Shortly after, Moro Ako, a local party represented by lawyer Najib Taib, filed its manifestation of intent to participate in BARMM’s first parliamentary elections scheduled for 2025.
But the notable political figures have yet to file their COCs as of posting time.
The Bangsamoro Electoral Code allocates 40 seats in the BARMM parliament to political parties, eight to sectoral representatives, and 32 to newly established districts. Seven seats from Sulu, however, were removed after the Supreme Court (SC) ruling excluded the province from the BARMM.
The region’s parliament also includes sectoral representatives, including a tribal leader, an ulama, two representatives each for Moro and indigenous peoples, two representatives for community settlers, and two for women and youth.
Security measures have been intensified in Cotabato and across BARMM as COC filing started.
Heavy traffic was reported along Gonzalo Javier Street, RH 7, leading to the Bangsamoro Government Center, the regional hub for BARMM’s governance. The area saw bumper-to-bumper congestion, with travel delays expected.
The Bangsamoro Government Center, a complex of government buildings in Cotabato City, houses the regional office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The Marines and the Cotabato City police secured the main entrance and inner compound, ensuring tight security at the Comelec office.
Meanwhile, Elections Chairman George Garcia flew in and joined a Regional Joint Security Control Center meeting before lunch at the Kampilan Army Division, coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP), election watchdogs, and other stakeholders.
Major General Antonio Nafarrete, commander of Joint Task Force Central, assured the public that security forces would remain “apolitical” throughout the election period.
At Camp Darapanan, an MILF camp in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, women’s groups participated in voter education sessions for the parliamentary elections, facilitated by the Mindanao Organization for Social and Economic Progress Incorporated. – Rappler.com