COTABATO CITY, Philippines – It’s official. Interim Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim is seeking a seat in the predominantly Muslim region’s parliament.
The political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) formally launched its bid to retain control of the BARMM parliament as it submitted a manifestation of intent to participate in the region’s first elections, scheduled for 2025.
Led by Ebrahim, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) filed the manifestation in Cotabato City on Friday afternoon, November 8, the fifth day of the filing period set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Accompanying Ebrahim was Mohagher Iqbal, BARMM minister of Basic, Higher and Technical Education. Iqbal, a member of the interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and former MILF chief negotiator, is among UBJP’s nominees.
The manifestation will allow UBJP to seek seats in the BARMM parliament for its nominees, including Ebrahim. The BARMM has 40 party seats in the regional parliament.
At the same time, candidates for parliamentary district seats from various provinces in the BARMM filed their certificates of candidacy (COC).
Those who will become members of the BARMM parliament will be eligible for election as regional chief minister by members of the Bangsamoro parliament.
The UBJP filing was staged with much fanfare, starting with a parade along the highway, with thousands of UBJP members and supporters taking part in the event. – Rappler.com