BFP claims majority in BARMM Parliament with 46-seat coalition

COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) said Friday it had secured the support of 46 of the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, giving its coalition a majority ahead of the inaugural session on Oct. 30.

Member of Parliament-elect Naguib Sinarimbo, who issued the party statement, said the BFP was ready to organize the government of the day.

“We are now prepared to move forward with the organization of the Government of the Day,” Sinarimbo said.

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READ: LIST: Winning party sectoral representatives in BARMM polls

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He said the coalition would work on the priorities of the first regular Bangsamoro government and prepare for its inaugural session.

The BFP, headed by its president and concurrent Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, won 31 seats in the Sept. 14 parliamentary elections, short of the 41 needed for a majority. The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) won 30 seats, while the BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC) secured 15.

The BGC had been holding talks with the BFP, UBJP and other parties on forming a coalition.

Macacua, Tawi-Tawi Gov. Yshmael Sali, Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Datu Ali Midtimbang, Sinarimbo, MP-elect Kitem Kadatuan Jr. and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. met with President Marcos in Malacañang on Friday.

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No details were released about the meeting.

Sinarimbo said the coalition would be “founded on shared responsibility and our common aspiration for peace, good governance, and the continued upliftment of the lives of the Bangsamoro people.”

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“This coalition is a coalition of the Bangsamoro people, for the Bangsamoro,” he said.

The regular Parliament will hold its inaugural session on Oct. 30, when it will elect the chief minister and parliamentary officials. /ja