Comelec okays MILF political party for Bangsamoro polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday granted the accreditation of the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), paving the way for former revolutionaries and their sympathizers to participate in the historic Bangsamoro parliamentary elections set on Sept. 14.

In a resolution, the Comelec en banc granted the manifestation filed by the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) for its registration as a regional parliamentary political party and to field district representatives in the Bangsamoro polls.

In granting the accreditation, the poll body denied two verified oppositions filed by Sahabudin Panambulan Usop and Gasanara Dibaraten, who sought to have the UBJP disqualified for allegedly being an “armed organization” given its affiliations with the MILF.

The UBJP had denied the allegations, saying that while it shares numerous members with the MILF, the two are “separate and distinct entities with completely different organizational structures.”

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In its resolution, the Comelec agreed that the UBJP is an organization separate from the MILF, saying that the claim of the group being an “armed character” must be supported by clear, credible and substantial evidence.

Presidential Peace Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento welcomed the recent Comelec resolution concluding the review of party registrations, which officially recognizes regional entities and political organizations to compete in the Bangsamoro elections.

Sarmiento said this was a triumph for the democratic principles enshrined in the Bangsamoro Organic Law and a vital step in the region’s transition toward meaningful self-governance. —WITH A REPORT FROM EDWIN FERNANDEZ