Philippines’ First Bangsamoro Parliament Officially Proclaimed After Historic Election
Manila, September 17, 2026: The Philippines has formally proclaimed the members of the first elected Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), marking a major stage in the region’s transition from an interim administration to an elected parliamentary government.
The parliamentary election was held on September 14, with the Commission on Elections completing the canvassing of returns before officially proclaiming the winners shortly after midnight on September 16. According to the Bangsamoro government, 2,018,478 voters participated, producing an overall turnout of 84.34%.
The new Parliament will have 80 members, representing political parties, parliamentary districts and designated sectors. The elected body is expected to assume office on October 30, after which members will begin the process of establishing the region’s new elected government.
In the regional parliamentary party contest, the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) won 16 seats, while the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) secured 15. The BARMM Grand Coalition obtained eight seats and the Raayat Democratic Party won one.
The election is particularly significant because the Bangsamoro region was created as part of a peace process designed to end decades of armed conflict involving the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Philippine government. The 2014 peace agreement paved the way for a new autonomous political structure with greater legislative and administrative powers.
The election process was not completely free of difficulties. Authorities reported isolated incidents of violence, while voting was extended in some precincts in Basilan after pre-shaded ballots were discovered. Security forces deployed more than 20,000 personnel across the region during the polls.
With the Parliament now formally constituted, attention will turn toward the selection of the region’s first elected Chief Minister. Because no single party secured a majority of the 80-member legislature, negotiations among parliamentary groups will be necessary before the leadership structure is finalized.
The new Parliament is expected to deal with issues including governance, economic development, infrastructure, public services, indigenous communities and the continuation of the peace process.
The transition will be closely watched because the elected government is intended to replace the transitional political arrangement that has administered Bangsamoro since the region’s autonomous institutions were established.
