The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has accredited ten applicants as Regional Parliamentary Political Parties (RPPPs), allowing them to participate in the September 2026 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE).
Approved Parties
In separate resolutions, the Comelec en banc approved the petitions of Bangsamoro Party, Alliance of Bangsamoro Tri-Peoples Party, Bangsamoro People's Democratic Party, Best Party, Progresibong Bangsamoro Party, Bangsamoro People's Party, Bangsamoro Federalist Party, BARMM Grand Coalition, Moro Ako Party, and Indigenous Settlers Sama and Minorities Alliance Party.
The poll body stated that these parties have satisfactorily complied with all substantive and procedural requirements, entitling them to register as RPPPs and participate in the 2026 BARMM-PE. This includes the right to field nominees for the 40 seats reserved for party representatives and candidates for parliamentary district representative seats.
Denied Application
However, the Comelec denied the petition of one organization, the People's Consultative Mushawara Party, citing failure to meet the requirements. After a thorough review, the Commission found that the applicant did not comply with the necessary criteria for accreditation.
Overall, 16 applications for RPPPs were filed before the Bangsamoro Electoral Office (BEO).
Retention of Posts
The Comelec clarified that appointed or elected public officials who serve as nominees of RPPPs shall be allowed to retain their posts. In Resolution 11216, the Comelec en banc stated that such nominees holding appointive or elective offices may continue to hold office even after accepting their nomination and shall not be considered resigned.
Additionally, nominees of unsuccessful RPPPs may be appointed to a public post immediately after the BPE. The one-year prohibition from being hired or rehired in a public office after a political party fails to secure enough votes for a parliamentary seat shall not apply to these nominees.
Nominee Lists
Earlier, the Comelec required RPPP applicants to submit lists of 40 nominees when filing their petitions for registration or accreditation. The commission emphasized that no changes or alterations to the order of nominees are allowed, except in cases where a nominee dies or is disqualified. In such instances, the substitute nominee's name shall be placed last in the list.
