United Bangsamoro Justice Party

The United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) is a political party based in Mindanao, Philippines, which is affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP)
حزب العدالة بانجسامورو المتحدة (Arabic)
LeaderMurad Ibrahim
PresidentYasser Ebrahim
Secretary-GeneralNaguib Sinarimbo
Founded2014
HeadquartersSultan Kudarat, Maguindanao
IdeologyIslamic democracy
Moro self-determinism
National affiliationMoro Islamic Liberation Front
National Unity Party (unofficial)
Colors  Green
Seats in the House of Representatives
0 / 8
(Bangsamoro seats only)
Provincial governorships
1 / 6
(Bangsamoro only)
Provincial vice governorships
0 / 6
(Bangsamoro only)
Provincial board members
2 / 46
(Bangsamoro regular seats only)
Election symbol

Yasser Ebrahim and Naguib Sinarimbo are the president and general-secretary of the party respectively.[1]

History

Formation

The United Bangsamoro Justice Party was organized in 2014 by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as a vehicle to run in future elections. The MILF, a rebel group which has been fighting for self-determination of the Moros in Mindanao, was anticipating the creation of a Bangsamoro autonomous region by 2016, after securing a peace deal with the Philippine government. The political party has formally been registered in May 2015 with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).[2][1] The formation of the Bangsamoro region was delayed.

2019 Bangsamoro plebiscite

In October 2018, the party announced its intention to campaign for the "yes" vote at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region creation plebiscite to be held in January and February 2019 and decided not to participate in the May 2019 local elections,[3] even though some members decided to participate as independents or under major parties like the NUP, Lakas and PDP-Laban.

2022 Philippine elections

The UBJP fielded candidates for local positions to be contested in the 2022 Philippine elections. The party selected candidates who supported the Bangsamoro cause and the MILF-led Bangsamoro's government campaign to extend the transitional period of the region.[4]

In April 2021, incumbent elected officials of the province of Tawi-Tawi joined the UBJP. They were joined by 11 Maguindanao mayors the following month marking the first batches of officials joining the UBJP.[5]

The UBJP endorsed Esmael Mangudadatu and Bai Sandra Sema as candidates for governor and vice governor of Maguindanao for the 2022 elections.[6]

While Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim tagged presidential candidate Isko Moreno as the "incoming president" during a courtesy call during the campaign period,[7] on February 22 the UBJP released a clarification that it is not formally endorsing any candidate.[8]

In April 2022, the UBJP along with Mangudadatu, eventually threw their support for Vice President Leni Robredo for president, with Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim stating that Robredo and the party are "overwhelmingly compatible" in terms of values and principles in relation to the Bangsamoro."[9]

See also

References
  1. Unson, John (May 9, 2015). "Stakeholders: MILF political party a boost to political stability". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  2. Santos, Tina (May 9, 2015). "MILF forms own political party". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  3. Unson, John (October 8, 2018). "MILF political party to focus on plebiscite, stay out of May 2019 polls". Philippine Star. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  4. "MILF's party flexing muscles for 2022 polls". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  5. Solaiman, Taher G. (May 13, 2021). "11 Maguindanao mayors join MILF political party". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  6. Cabrera, Ferdinandh (September 26, 2021). "MILF's political party endorses Toto Mangudadatu- Bai Sandra Sema for Maguindanao". MindaNews. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  7. Sarao, Zacarian (February 21, 2022). "Isko Moreno gets endorsement of BARMM chief minister Murad". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  8. "UBJP: Warm welcome for Isko Moreno not tantamount to endorsement". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Mindanao. February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  9. Cepeda, Mara (April 23, 2022). "Robredo scores sweet birthday endorsement from top BARMM, MILF party leaders". Rappler. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
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