DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 26 August 2026) – Representatives of all 13 Regional Parliamentary Political Parties (RPPPs) participating in the 1st Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections on September 14, 2026 have confirmed their participation in the first Bangsamoro election debate on Thursday, August 27, at Notre Dame University in Cotabato City. The debate, organized by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), NDU, and the Independent Election Monitoring Center (IEMC) in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), will run from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. It will focus on three broad clusters of issues: economy and human development, peace and security, and good governance, which the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament will face starting October 30, marking the end of the nearly eight-year transition period in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). All 13 RPPPs, including a party whose registration was canceled on August 4 but remains on the ballot, will participate. Each party lists 40 nominees, except the Indigenous, Sama, Settlers, and Minority (ISAMA) party, which lists 14. Seven first nominees, four party presidents, and two second nominees will represent their parties. Key participants include Atty. Omar Crisostomo Sema (BaPa), Atty. Al-Rashid Balt (BEST), Abdulhussein Kashim (ISAMA), Nur-ainee Tan Lim (Mahardika), Dr. Alipikre Basher (Mushawara), Engr. Don Mustapha Loong (Progresibong Bangsamoro Party), Atty. Jose Lorena (Raayat Democratic Party), Emran Mohammad (ABOT), Atty. Najeeb Taib (Moro Ako Party), Amir Mawallil (BGC), Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo (BFP), Engr. Addie T. Unsi (PBB), and Atty. Sha Elijah B. Dumama-Alba (UBJP). Five participants are incumbent Members of Parliament, and two women, Dumama-Alba and Lim, are among the debaters. The debate will address issues such as poverty, agriculture, peace process commitments, governance transparency, and women’s participation. Moderated by Maria Victoria “Mags” Maglana, the event will be livestreamed on IAG, NDU, and IEMC BARMM Facebook pages, with civil society groups presenting concerns post-debate. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
