Hataman scion wins Basilan 3rd District race, keeps BARMM Parliament seat - Rappler

Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.

MANILA, Philippines – The Hatamans further solidified their hold over Basilan after Abrar Hataman won the 3rd District representative race in the province on Monday, September 14. He has been an appointed parliament member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) since 2025.

Hataman obtained 45,094 or 90.64% of the votes, topping the Basilan 3rd District representative race. This is based on Basilan’s total certificates of canvass on the Commission on Elections’ website for the 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.

The 26-year-old is the nephew of brothers Mujiv Hataman and Jim Hataman-Salliman, Basilan governor and vice governor, respectively. The clan is allied with the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), under which Abrar’s relative, Jay Hataman-Salliman, is gunning for representative in Basilan’s 4th District.

Hataman’s profile on the BTA website said he started as a “local youth advocate” and later became a “young entrepreneur and a community development leader.” His LinkedIn profile showed that he used to be president of the Metronoia Corporation and chief operating officer of Coffee Hour.

He also comes from the Yakan tribe, a cultural community concentrated in the Basilan towns of Tipo-tipo, Lamitan, Sumisip, and Tuburan. Abrar is a resident of Sumisip.

The Hataman scion won with a wide lead over his only rival. Bangsamoro Party candidate Khan Hasalal, a resident of Ungkaya Pukan, got 4,656 or 9.36% of the votes.

Hataman will serve a special five-year transition term from October 30, 2026, to June 30, 2031, like the 31 other district representatives making up 40% of the 80-seat Bangsamoro Parliament. – Rappler.com