MILF’s political party bets file COCs for first BARMM polls

COTABATO CITY – Candidates of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s political party filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections on Wednesday, following the party’s accreditation by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

READ: Comelec grants accreditation to MILF party for BARMM polls

The candidates for district representatives of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) filed their COCs on Wednesday morning, as the Comelec approved its accreditation as a regional parliamentary political party that can participate in the Sept.14 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections.

In a resolution issued by the poll body on Wednesday, the Verified Manifestation of Intent submitted by UBJP was approved, serving as a substitute for a formal petition for registration and accreditation.

Member of Parliament Lanang Ali Jr. said the Comelec also recognized that the party complied with the required documents and qualifications to take part in the regional elections.

READ: UBJP submits doc in compliance with Comelec rules for BARMM polls

As a result, UBJP can now field candidates for district representatives in the 2026 BARMM parliamentary elections, which is considered an important step toward their more active participation in Bangsamoro politics.

UBJP candidates for the district representative filed their COC at the Comelec regional office in Cotabato City.

In granting UBJP’s accreditation, Comelec dismissed the petitions filed by Sahabudin Panambulun Usop and Gasanara Dibaraten against the party for lack of sufficient basis.

The filing of certificates of candidacy ends May 7, a critical phase in solidifying the official lineup of contenders.

The election period begins July 16, with the official campaign period kicking off July 30. 

Campaigning is prohibited on the eve of the Sept. 14 polls. Candidates must file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures by Oct. 14 to officially close the election cycle.

The Sept. 14 elections mark the region’s first parliamentary polls, transitioning governance from the appointed Bangsamoro Transition Authority to a fully elected 80-member parliament. 

The exercise is widely seen as a key milestone in implementing the 2014 peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front./coa