LANAO del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. has pledged to respect the decision of Congress and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero’s proposal to delay the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) parliamentary elections until May 2026.
Escudero proposed the postponement on November 4, following Sulu’s removal from the Barmm regional group. The election is currently scheduled for May 2025.
On November 6, the Adiong-led Serbisyong Inklusibo-Alyansang Progresibo (Siap) party formally filed certificates of candidacy for eight parliamentary district seats with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Marawi City.
Governor Adiong expressed confidence in his party’s prospects, saying they are well-prepared to dominate the election.
“If Congress, the Senate, and President Marcos decide to move the election, we will respect that,” Adiong said.
His son, Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong, echoed this stance, stating that while the party is ready for the election, they would honor any decision from the government.
“Kahit anong sabihin o gawin natin whatever decision gawin nang Upper House o nang Lower House wala tayong magagawa,” the younger Adiong said.
Both leaders acknowledged the setback of Sulu’s removal, with Vice Governor Adiong noting that it affects all political parties within Barmm, not only Siap.
Despite this, he expressed confidence in Siap’s strength, pointing to their support from 30 of Lanao del Sur’s 40 mayors and alliances in other Barmm provinces.
Siap is positioned as the main challenger to the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) led by Barmm Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim.
The filing period for certificates of candidacy will remain open until November 9, according to Comelec.
