Who are the leading parties in the 2026 BARMM elections? - GMA Network

Three political parties lead the race for Regional Parliamentary Political Parties (RPPPs) seats in the 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) election as of Monday evening, September 14, 2026.

The elections mark a major step in BARMM’s transition to a fully elected parliamentary government, as voters choose the region’s first regular Bangsamoro Parliament following years of interim rule.

Here's a short profile of the leading parties based on the tally of votes from election returns as of 10 p.m. Monday.

Established in March 2026, the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) is a political party primarily composed of former members of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The party is headed by Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, the incumbent chief minister of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) from 2022-2025.

The party’s other prominent leaders are Dr. Tomanda Antok,a member of the BTA; Mohammad Ali “Bruce” Matabalao, incumbent Cotabato City mayor; Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, BTA member and party spokesperson. Another prominent member is Maguindanao del Sur Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) is the official political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The party envisions “to establish a genuinely principled political party renowned for its integrity, commitment, and competence in governance and in providing services to the people regardless of their age, gender, tribe, culture, educational background, social and economic status, religious and political orientation, and affiliation.” The party has a 13 Priority Agenda, including unity of the

Bangsamoro people; participatory and responsive governance; continuation of the Bangsamoro struggle; lasting justice and peace, among others.

The party’s top three nominees are Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, Datucan “Mohagher M. Iqbal” Abas, and Ali Solaiman.

The BARMM Grand Coalition, or the BGC, was formed three years ago as a coalition of regional political parties, aiming to provide wider, more diverse representation from the mainland and island provinces of the Bangsamoro.

The party espouses inclusive representation, unity, good governance, peace, and the continued development of the Bangsamoro region.

Its founding leaders include former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan, former Sultan Kudarat governor Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu, incumbent Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman, and incumbent Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr.

The party’s top three nominees are Mamintal “Miko” Raki-in Adiong III, Amer Zaakaria “Mikee” Adiong Rakim, and Abdulrahman Rubbil Sangki Mangudadatu.

1. Alliance of Bangsamoro Tri-People's Party (ABOT)2. Bangsamoro Party (BAPA)3. Bangsamoro Empowerment and Social Transformation Party (BEST Party)4. Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP)5. BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC)6. Indigenous, Settlers, Sama and Minorities Alliance Party (ISAMA)7. Mahardika Party (Mahardika)8. People's Consultative (Mushawara) Party9.Partido Bangon Bangsamoro (PBB)10. Progresibong Bangsamoro Party (Pro Bangsamoro Party)11. Bangsamoro Peoples' Democratic Party (Rayaat Democratic Party)12. United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP)

As of 10:14 p.m., and with 93.38% of the election returns processed, four parties have breached the 2.5% threshold to gain seats in the Bangsamoro parliament.

The BFP has 614,672 votes, or 34.8%, while the United Bangsamoro Justice Party has 571,703, or 32.6%.

The BARMM Grand Coalition has 366,073, or 20.7%, while the Rayat Democratic Party-Bangsamoro People's Democratic Party has 64,747, 3.7%.

RPPP seats are allocated to political parties proportionally based on the percentage of votes obtained by each party relative to the total votes cast in the election.

Parties need at least 2.5% of the total valid votes to qualify, according to Comelec.

If qualifying groups receive varying percentages of votes, they will be ranked from highest to lowest, and the 40 seats will be distributed proportionally based on their vote shares.

For example, if a party secures 10% of the total RPPP votes across BARMM, it would earn roughly 4 seats (or 10 percent of the 40 available seats). —LDF, GMA News