Mindanao is divided into six administrative regions, including the predominantly Muslim Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The region has long struggled with underdevelopment, largely due to rebellion, political dynasties, warlordism, clan wars, crime, and violence — issues that continue to challenge its current push for reform and growth, five years after its creation.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will accept certificates of candidacy (COCs) from November 4 to 9 for those seeking seats in the 80-member parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The region’s first parliamentary elections are set to coincide with the 2025 midterm national and local elections.
The 2025 regional parliamentary elections will mark the end of five years under the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, an interim body led by presidential appointee Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim and other appointed members following BARMM’s creation in 2019.
The outcome of the BARMM elections will impact the future of Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Basilan, and the cities of Marawi and Cotabato.
Bookmark this page for updates and insights on the filing period for COCs in the BARMM.
LATEST UPDATES
Hataman nephew files COC for Basilan seat in BARMM parliament
A member of the Hataman political clan filed his certificate of candidacy for a seat in the Bangsamoro parliament in Basilan on Monday, November 4.
Abrar Hataman, a nephew of Basilan Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman and Representative Mujiv Hataman, the last governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), is seeking to represent one of the province’s three parliamentary districts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
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Escudero wants BARMM elections deferred to 2026
Senate President Chiz Escudero on Monday, November 4, formalized his resolution seeking to postpone the 2025 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) due to the recent Supreme Court ruling excluding Sulu from the regional group.
Escudero filed Senate bill 2862, deferring the BARMM to May 11, 2026 to “allow the region to reconfigure its jurisdictions as well as reallocate the seats of its 80-member parliament following the High Court’s ruling cutting off Sulu from the BARMM.”
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[OPINION] To my kabangsa Meranao, vote for those who truly care about Marawi’s IDPs
As the election approaches, it is in our hands to change the lives of our kabangsa Meranao living in shelters by casting our votes for people who genuinely care about them. As Meranaos, we take great pride in our heritage. It is time to channel that pride to stand with our bangsa and advocate for their rights as victims of the 2017 Marawi siege, identified as internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Seven years have passed, yet it seems their situation remains unchanged. Throughout these years, their main source of strength has been their community, where solidarity has helped them face all the challenges that have come their way. But how long can solidarity alone sustain them?
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Ex-BTA member seeks Lanao del Sur seat in BARMM parliament
Former interim Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) member Edrieza Nasser Rimbang filed his certificate of candidacy on Monday, November 4, for a seat in the predominantly Muslim region’s parliament in Marawi City.
Rimbang, the first to submit his candidacy papers in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, is seeking to represent one of the province’s eight parliamentary districts in the BARMM legislature in 2025.
A staunch supporter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Rimbang filed his COC for the province’s 3rd parliamentary district with much fanfare, joined by family members and supporters.
Independent bet, Moro Ako party among early birds as BARMM’s COC filing begins
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.
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Comelec to proceed with COC filings as Escudero seeks BARMM election delay
Elections Chairman George Garcia said Monday, November 4, that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will continue accepting certificates of candidacy until November 9, despite Senate President Francis Escudero’s announcement that he would push to postpone the 2025 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro region.
Garcia, who arrived in Cotabato for the start of the filing period for regional parliament COCs, said only a legislative act could alter the Comelec’s schedule.
Garcia’s statement came in response to reports quoting Escudero, who said the Senate would discuss rescheduling the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) first parliamentary elections, following a recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling excluding Sulu province from the predominantly Muslim region.
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Comelec kicks off COC filing for BARMM’s first parliamentary elections
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is a step closer to its first regional parliamentary elections as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) opened the filing period for certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Monday, November 4.
Aspirants have until November 9 to file their COCs and declarations of intent to participate in the parliamentary elections in the Muslim-majority region.
The first BARMM parliamentary elections are set for May 12 next year, simultaneously with the national and local midterm elections. The members of the regional parliament will then choose BARMM’s chief minister.
This will follow years of governance by an interim parliament, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), appointed by the president after the region’s creation in 2019. BARMM’s current chief minister, Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, is a presidential appointee, along with other BTA members.
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