The BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC) has expressed its willingness to work with the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) to form a united political front as the Bangsamoro region prepares to transition to its first elected government.
In a statement issued on September 22, the BGC said it recognizes the mandate expressed by voters in the recently concluded Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections and is ready to engage with other political parties represented in the new Parliament.
The coalition said the immediate priority is to convene the new Parliament, elect a Chief Minister and establish the first elected Bangsamoro Government so it can begin addressing regional concerns.
The BGC said discussions among political parties should focus not only on the distribution of positions but also on listening to different perspectives and identifying areas where cooperation is possible.
The proposed cooperation comes after the September 14 parliamentary elections, which marked a major transition for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao from an appointed regional government to one based on elected parliamentary representation.
Based on the reported party results, the BFP secured 16 of the 40 party-representative seats, followed by the UBJP with 15 and the BGC with eight. The Bangsamoro Peoples’ Democratic Party secured one party seat.
The BGC said any future regional administration should be cohesive and inclusive, with particular attention to the participation of the Moro National Liberation Front and other political parties.
It also identified implementation of existing peace agreements as a priority, including normalization and decommissioning provisions under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
Another issue raised by the coalition is accountability for alleged violence and irregularities connected with the recent elections. The BGC said these concerns should be addressed through appropriate democratic and institutional processes.
Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu and Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan are expected to lead the BGC’s discussions with representatives of other political parties.
The willingness to engage with the UBJP and BFP also reflects the fragmented nature of the new Parliament, where no single party holds all 40 party-representative seats. The final composition will include district and sectoral representatives as well.
The Comelec had earlier approved the UBJP’s registration as a Regional Parliamentary Political Party and its participation in the 2026 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.
For the BGC, the next stage is therefore about turning election results into a functioning parliamentary government. Its proposal for dialogue with the UBJP and BFP could shape negotiations over the regional leadership, legislative priorities and the composition of the first elected Bangsamoro administration.
The coming discussions will determine whether the parties can bridge their political differences and build a working parliamentary coalition while preserving the peace process and the autonomy of the Bangsamoro government.
