Political shakeup in BARMM continues ahead of Sept. 14 polls
Political realignments are occurring in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as leaders shift from the United Bangsamoro Justice Party to the newly formed Bangsamoro Federalist Party. This shift precedes the region's first parliamentary elections scheduled for September 14.
Why it matters
These shifts indicate evolving political dynamics and power structures in a region transitioning toward its first parliamentary government.
COTABATO CITY - The shakeup in political alignments continues ahead of the official start of campaigning for the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) set on Sept. 14.
More political leaders have left the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) to join the newly formed Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), with the latest to join the exodus being Maguindanao del Sur Rep. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu.
Mangudadatu won in the 2025 local elections under the banner of the UBJP, the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
READ: No MILF breakup, just new political parties
Mangudadatu formally took his oath as a BFP member before BFP President and Member of Parliament Tomanda Antok, along with local officials from the municipalities of Paglat, Buluan, Mangudadatu and Datu Paglas in Maguindanao del Sur.
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