The Bangsamoro government center in Cotabato City is lit up in green on January 22, 2022 to mark the region's third anniversary. BARMM Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Asnin Pendatun, handout, file.
MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE (UPDATED) — Four parliamentary district representatives in Maguindanao del Norte have been formally proclaimed and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua is set to be proclaimed Tuesday night as elected representative of the province’s 3rd Parliamentary District.
Macacua is president and chair of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, which is leading parties seeking parliamentary seats through proportional representation.
Bangsamoro Federalist Party, UBJP lead race in inaugural BARMM polls
The Provincial Board of Canvassers held the proclamation Tuesday afternoon at the 6th Infantry Division Gymnasium in Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat.
Prince Khalid Tomawis of the BFP was also proclaimed elected representative of the 1st Parliamentary District. He was joined by his family and supporters.
Member of Parliament Ibrahim Ibay, also of the BFP, meanwhile, was proclaimed elected representative of the 2nd Parliamentary District.
Abdulnasser "Thong" Abas of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party was proclaimed elected representative of the 4th Parliamentary District.
Abas was joined during the proclamation by his relatives, including Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Baba Abas and Board Member Michael Kida.
More than half of parliamentary district reps in Lanao Del Sur proclaimed
Member of Parliament Ishak Mastura of the BFP was proclaimed the elected representative of the 5th Parliamentary District.
The proclamations follow the canvassing of votes for the parliamentary districts in Maguindanao del Norte in the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.
BASILAN
Proclamations of winning candidates have also started in Basilan, with canvassers declaring Rima Hassan of the BFP the elected representative of the 1st Parliamentary District.
Also proclaimed are UBJP candidate Pai Sali for the 2nd Parliamentary District and Abrar Hataman of the BFP for the 3rd Parliamentary District.
The proclamation of BFP candidate Jay Saliman as representative of the 4th District is expected on Tuesday evening.
Voting has been delayed by the discovery of pre-shaded ballots in Maluso, which is in the 4th District.
The Commission on Elections had to print more than 16,000 new ballots and bring them to Maluso, where voting finally commenced early Tuesday morning.
Apart from the pre-shading, which the Comelec is already investigating, authorities said elections in Basilan were generally peaceful.
Maj. Gen. Leonardo Peña, 11th Infantry Division commander, said there was tension in Al-Barka after some members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front blocked a road there but that there were no other incidents in the province.