Marcos’ party join forces with United Bangsamoro Justice Party for BARMM polls

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with Murad Ebrahim, interim chief minister of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), during the ceremonial opening of the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority (BTA) in Cotabato City, in the southern Philippines on September 15, 2022. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT PHOTO

President Marcos’ political party has formed an election alliance with the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) ahead of the 2025 parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The first-ever parliamentary polls in the region will be conducted on May 12, 2025, simultaneous with the national and local elections.

Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. announced the partnership between the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and the UBJP on his Facebook page.

Lagdameo said the alliance was important in “harmonizing local governance with the national agenda” of the Marcos administration.

“With a focus on critical issues such as governance, peace-building, efficient delivery of services, and economic development, the PFP-UBJP alliance is strategically positioned to address long-standing concerns and champion essential reforms aimed at improving the lives of the Bangsamoro people,” he said.

Mr. Marcos, who is the chairman of the PFP, made a formal announcement of their alliance with the UBJP, which is affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, at the PFP general assembly in Davao City last Sunday.

The PFP has formed similar pacts with the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats, Nationalist People’s Coalition, National Unity Party and Nacionalista Party for the 2025 midterm elections.

The electoral alliance was dubbed the “Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.” The President announced the alliance’s 12-member senatorial slate on September 26, which included his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos.

The senator declined the endorsement of her brother’s alliance and opted to run as an independent candidate instead.

Lagdameo’s Facebook page disclosed that the alliance of the PFP and the UBJP has the backing of prominent local political families in the region, including the Midtimbang, Mastura, Sinsuat, Mangudadatu, and Ampatuan families.

For the Bangsamoro parliamentary polls, Tucao Mastura will run as the governor of Maguindanao del Norte, while Datu Ali Midtimbang Sr. will run as the governor of Maguindanao del Sur. The alliance also supports ex-Maguindanao governor Ismael Mangudadatu, who is running for congressman of Maguindanao del Sur.