The first elected Bangsamoro Parliament convened in Cotabato City on Friday with 79 of 80 members present, replacing appointed leadership with an elected governing body in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Sheikh Muslim Guiamaden, the ceremonial wali, opened the session by striking a gong, while Director Jaime Ayub of the Secretariat presided over the election of a temporary presiding officer. Member of Parliament Naguib Sinarimbo nominated Ishak Mastura for the role, which was seconded by lawmakers. Mastura confirmed a quorum after 79 members responded to the roll call, though MP-elect Abdulrahman Mangudadatu was absent due to illness.
Did You Know? The inaugural session followed the first regional parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026, which replaced the Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s appointed leadership with an elected parliament. This transition is a key implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
Elected Parliament Moves Bangsamoro Toward Elective Political System
The convening of the first elected Bangsamoro Parliament moves the region toward a fully elective political system. For years, BARMM leaders operated under presidential appointments, lacking an electoral mandate. The new parliament, composed of 80 members elected in September, is tasked with selecting a chief minister to oversee the regional government. This shift implements the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
The potential reappointment of interim leader Abdulraof Macacua, supported by provincial governors, highlights ongoing tensions between continuity and reform.
What May Happen Next
The parliament is expected to elect a chief minister during its first regular session, a process likely to involve negotiations among factions. At least 46 lawmakers, including Macacua, formed a bloc in Davao City to advocate for his continued leadership, while opposition groups favor Ahod Ebrahim, the chairman of the central committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Security remains a concern, with no fewer than a thousand policemen and soldiers deployed in Cotabato City ahead of the session. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was scheduled to address the gathering, though his attendance was pending at the time of the session’s suspension for his arrival.
What Is the Bangsamoro Parliament’s Role?
What is the Bangsamoro Parliament’s role?
The newly elected parliament is responsible for selecting a chief minister to lead the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This marks the first time the region’s leadership will be chosen through an electoral process, replacing the previous system of presidential appointments.
Who is Abdulraof Macacua?
Macacua, president of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, has served as an interim leader under a presidential appointment. He was elected as a representative for a parliamentary seat covering neighboring barangays in Cotabato City and in Maguindanao del Norte province in September 2026. Provincial governors have expressed support for his potential reappointment as chief minister.
What security measures were in place?
No fewer than a thousand policemen and soldiers were deployed in Cotabato City ahead of the session. Vehicles on Governor Gutierrez Avenue, the main route to the parliament, underwent rigid inspections. Officials denied reports of a citywide lockdown, though security remained heightened due to concerns about the event’s historic significance.
More on Cotabato City
First Bangsamoro Parliament convenesBy Edwin FernandezCOTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Parliament is scheduled to formally convene Friday to elect its leaders, marking a historic milestone in the region’s transition to an elected government.At 1:30 p.m., the 80 members of the… pic.twitter.com/t8XpkHMvWH
The first elected Bangsamoro Parliament convenes in Cotabato City for its inaugural session, where 80 members, mostly elected in September, prepare to choose the region’s first elected chief minister.https://t.co/jhxWkZji18
HAPPENING NOW: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graces the inaugural session of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliament at the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City on Friday (Oct. 30, 2026).The first BARMM parliament session session… pic.twitter.com/Lz68dop8YI
PBBM TO VISIT COTABATO CITYNakahanda na ang mga kapulisan at kasundaluhan sa pagtiyak ng kapayapaan at seguridad para sa First Inaugural Session ng Bangsamoro Parliament sa Cotabato City ngayong araw, Oktubre 30. Inaasahan naman ang pagdalo ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos… pic.twitter.com/LwPASHklQH
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