Moro Ako Party lead nominee says SC has final say on party’s fate

STANDING FIRM. Moro Ako Party first nominee Froxy Macarambon (left) and party president Atty. Najeeb Taib addressed a press briefing in Marawi City on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, insisting their party remains on the official ballot for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections despite a Comelec cancellation order, which they have challenged before the Supreme Court. Photo by Cong B. Corrales, Inquirer Mindanao BALINDONG, Lanao del Sur — Emerging from a voting precinct here after casting his ballot Monday, former assemblyman Froxy Macarambon, the first nominee of the Moro Ako Party, took a defiant stance, declaring that their regional parliamentary bid remains active despite administrative hurdles.

“Our name is printed right there on the official ballot, and every vote cast for Moro Ako is a vote for real representation in the Bangsamoro,” he told the Inquirer after casting his vote on September 14.

“Do not be misled by black propaganda claiming our bid is dead. The legal battle is not over until the highest court of the land says so,” he added.  

But Macarambon added that Moro Ako would respect whatever decision the Supreme Court would make.

“It is up to Allah if He will make us win,” Macarambon said.

Macarambon’s voting appearance capped off a high-stakes campaign turn for the Moro Ako Party.

Just a day earlier on Sunday, party leaders held an emergency press conference during the official cooling-off period to refute claims that supporting them would be a wasted vote.

At the Sunday conference, Macarambon stressed that while the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc issued a Certificate of Finality and Entry of Judgment on September 7 revoking their accreditation, the ruling is undergoing judicial review.

“There has been a disinformation campaign claiming that the Comelec decision cancelling our party is already final. But as the Supreme Court maintains, while an administrative ruling may be executory, it is not final when elevated for judicial review,” Macarambon said Sunday. 

“Comelec Chairman George Garcia himself clarified that Moro Ako Party remains on the printed ballot because the final disposition belongs to the Supreme Court,” he added.

The poll body’s ruling stemmed from a petition filed by Aladin A. Abdul, who alleged material misrepresentations regarding the party’s established chapters across the region.

Consequently, Comelec revoked Moro Ako’s status as an accredited Major Regional Parliamentary Political Party (RPPP) and instructed boards of canvassers to treat its votes as stray unless the high court issues a temporary restraining order (TRO).

Party president Atty. Najeeb L. Taib characterized the petition as part of a coordinated effort to undermine their slate.

“We consider this a legal battle and an orchestrated political harassment,” Taib said, citing the sub judice rule while addressing online campaigns aimed at discouraging voters./coa