Ex-BARMM MPs form group to help start new regional government

COTABATO CITY — Even if they are no longer sitting in the regional legislature, former members of parliament (MPs) organized themselves and offered help in shaping the future of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The former MPs said they intend the new group to be their platform for them to contribute to the fledgling region’s continuing development.

Called the Association for Former Members of Parliament (AFMP), the group draws strength from their legislative experience that they hope will find added significance to the new parliament.

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This comes as the autonomous region enters a new chapter, with the regular government starting its mandate on October 30, following the historic parliamentary elections last Sept. 14.

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The AFMP officers took their oath before Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Mohammad Yacob on Monday.

Maisara Dandamun-Latiph was elected as AFMP’s founding president. She will serve the association until Oct. 30, 2031. 

Latiph served as MP from 2019 to 2022, after which she led the Marawi Compensation Board from January 2023 until March last year.

Prior to her stint in the interim parliament, she was a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, from 2017 to 2019.

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This body which drafted what will now be the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

The AFMP was created under Parliament Resolution No. 562 to provide former parliamentarians a platform to share their experiences and knowledge gained during their time in the legislature.

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Yacob stressed the importance of keeping former parliamentarians engaged, saying their insights and skills remain valuable to the Bangsamoro, even after their terms in parliament.

At least 79 former parliamentarians currently compose the group.

The first set of MPs served from February 2019 to August 2022.

The second batch served from September 2022 to February 2025.

The third group got on board in March 2025 and are still around up to the present.

“Our desire to serve the Bangsamoro never ends. We are ready to help the best way we can,” Latiph told the Inquirer.

She said once the regular parliament starts legislative work, the AFMP will take on the role of “institutional guardians, bridge-builders, and active development partners.”

Former MP Khalid Hadji Abdullah described the establishment of AFMP as an important step in fostering continued cooperation among its members.

This is even if they are no longer in government.

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“The newly elected officers are expected to lead the association in advancing these objectives and promoting unity and continued service among former members of parliament,” Abdullah said. /apl