Isabela City, Basilan – Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman has raised strong concerns over the ongoing reapportionment process of district seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament, calling out what he described as “unfair” and “disadvantageous” treatment of island provinces, particularly Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.
In a public statement, Hataman reacted to reports that the committee deliberations in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament have concluded regarding the fate of the seven vacant district seats previously allotted to Sulu province.
“From the beginning, we have stood with Tawi-Tawi in calling for fair and just representation in the regional government through these district seats,” Hataman said.
According to the governor, despite Basilan meeting the population requirements stipulated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) for five seats, only four were allocated to the province in the proposed reapportionment.
“This is severely lacking. The representation of both Basilan and Tawi-Tawi in the BARMM Parliament remains inadequate,” he added. “It is disheartening because the basis is already clear in the law, and yet island provinces always seem to be at a disadvantage. Will it always be this way?”
Hataman’s statement emphasized that the issue goes beyond numbers — it strikes at the core of political voice and equity in the autonomous region. He urged the Bangsamoro Government and Parliament to uphold the principles of justice and equality enshrined in the BOL.
“There should be no first and no last. If we are truly building a genuine Bangsamoro, then all provinces, including Basilan, must have a fair and sufficient voice,” he said.
He vowed to continue pushing for the rights of his constituents, stating, “We will keep engaging, speaking out, and standing firm for the rights of every Basileño. Representation is not a favor — it is a right. And we will not allow Basilan’s voice to be diminished in its own region.”
The call from Hataman adds to the growing clamor for inclusive and proportional representation across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as it continues its transition towards a fully elected regional government.