A total of 176 candidates filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections during the three-day filing period from May 5 to 7, 2026, according to the consolidated list released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Bangsamoro Electoral Office.
The candidates are vying for seats in the upcoming BARMM parliamentary elections scheduled for September 14, 2026.
Basilan province, which has four districts, produced the highest number of filers with 17 candidates. Lanao del Sur followed closely with 33 candidates across nine districts, making it the province with the most COC filers in the region.
Maguindanao del Norte recorded 11 candidates across five districts, while Maguindanao del Sur had 16 candidates also spread over five districts. Tawi-Tawi, with four districts, saw 13 candidates file their COCs.
The Special Geographic Area (SGA), which covers 63 barangays formerly part of Cotabato province, recorded seven candidates across two districts. Cotabato City, with three districts, listed 11 candidates.
Among the notable filers is incumbent Bangsamoro Transition Authority member Paisal A. Sali, who filed under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) for Basilan's 2nd district.
In Lanao del Sur, multiple candidates from SIAP Party, UBJP, and Progresibong Bangsamoro Party filed their COCs, including incumbent officials Alexander Alonto Jr. (SIAP Party, 2nd district) and Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong (SIAP Party, 3rd district).
The UBJP, the political party of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod "Al Haj Murad" Ebrahim, fielded candidates across all provinces. The Bangsamoro Federal Party (BFP) and BAPA Party also showed strong representation.
Several candidates ran under independent tickets, while others represented smaller parties such as BEST Party, Bangsamoro Party, Bangsamoro Peoples Party, SIAP Party, Al Ittihad-UKB, Partido Maharlika, Isama Party, Progresibong Bangsamoro Party, and BGC.
In Cotabato City, candidate Reynaldo Largo Canen initially filed under the independent ticket but later withdrew, refiling under the BEST Party, as indicated by a notation in the Comelec list.
The consolidated list, dated May 5-7, 2026 but released to the public following the filing period, serves as the official record of aspirants for the region's first regular parliamentary elections since the BARMM was established in 2019 following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Comelec is expected to begin the verification and screening of COCs, including checking for possible nuisance candidates and ensuring compliance with election laws and regulations.
The BARMM parliament will have 80 members — 40 parliamentary seats elected by district and 40 reserved for sectoral representatives appointed by the chief minister. The May 5-7 filing covers the district representatives.
Election officers reminded filers that withdrawal of COCs is no longer permitted after the deadline, and substitutions due to withdrawal will only be allowed until May 14, 2026.
