COTABATO CITY (July 18, 2025) — In a significant move toward democratic consolidation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the leadership of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), led by Party President Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, met with Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Atty. George Erwin Garcia to discuss the upcoming first-ever BARMM parliamentary elections, set for October 13, 2025.
The meeting, held recently in Metro Manila, was a key engagement between the ruling Bangsamoro political party and the national electoral body. Chairman Garcia affirmed that the COMELEC is fully prepared to conduct the landmark elections, stating that it is timely for the Bangsamoro region to have duly elected parliamentary officials. He added that the Commission is only waiting for the passage of a final law on the reallocation of seven seats for the province of Sulu. Should the law not be transmitted to COMELEC in time, the election will proceed under the existing structure of 25 district seats as provided in the BARMM Electoral Code.
UBJP President Ebrahim expressed full support for the conduct of the elections, saying the party is more than ready to participate. He underscored the strong commitment of both the UBJP and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leadership to proceed with the long-awaited polls, emphasizing that a fresh mandate is essential to strengthen governance in the region.
“The UBJP leadership, alongside our comrades in the MILF, believes it is time that the people of BARMM choose their leaders through a democratic process. This will give elected officials a stronger and legitimate mandate,” Ebrahim said.
Joining Chairman Garcia from COMELEC were Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr., Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr., and Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco. President Ebrahim was accompanied by UBJP Party Vice President Mohagher Iqbal and other senior officials of the party.
The UBJP also addressed members of the media following the meeting, affirming their commitment to a peaceful, credible, and democratic electoral process in the Bangsamoro region.