BARMM Leaders ask Supreme Court to resolve pending party recognition ahead of 2026 Parliamentary Elections

Several leaders from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), affiliated with AMANA, have gone to the Supreme Court of the Philippines to challenge a pending petition involving the upcoming parliamentary elections in the region.

The petitioners, Sultan Alim Saad Amate and Maulana Mamutuk, argued that issues on the recognition of political parties must first be resolved before the elections proceed. They stressed that groups not properly included within BARMM districts should not participate in the electoral process.

According to the petitioners, around ten regional parties have already been approved by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), but the United Bangsamoro Justice Party—associated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)—remains pending recognition.

Mamutuk said the party’s recognition is crucial, noting its significance in the peace process transition from armed struggle to democratic participation.

“We should stop with uncertainty,” Amate said. “Ang panawagan namin ay simple lang, huwag hayaan magsimula ang unang BARMM para gamit na reeleksyon na may confusion, exclusion.”

Mamutuk also raised concerns about representation and legal frameworks governing the region, citing disputes related to BARMM districting and political party registration rules. He emphasized that unclear regulations could affect candidates, voters, and political parties.

“Hindi ito tungkol sa mapa. Ito ay tungkol sa representation, political party, participation at ang karapatan ng mga botanteng Bangsamoro,” Mamutuk said. “Kinokwestyon namin dito sa Supreme Court ang BAA 86 sa Districting of BARMM. Pangalawa, yung 670 ng BAA 88 sa Political Party Registration.”

“Mali ang district representation. Kapag hindi malinaw ang party rules, hindi maapektuhan ang kandidato, ang botante at ang party sa BARRM,” he added. “Kaya nananawagan kami sa Commission on Elections na i-resolve, to resolve all pending matters with due process and fairness.”

The petitioners urged COMELEC to immediately act on pending party applications, especially with the Certificate of Candidacy filing deadline set for May 7, 2026, as tensions rise ahead of the BARMM parliamentary elections.