Ex-vice governor to secure Maguindanao del Norte 4th District parliament seat

BARMM POLLS. Former Maguindanao del Norte vice governor Abdulnasser Maliga Abas runs under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, the party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Abas' Facebook page

Former Maguindanao del Norte vice governor Abdulnasser Maliga Abas is set to become a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, representing the MILF’s UBJP

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Former Maguindanao del Norte vice governor Abdulnasser Maliga Abas is on the verge of winning the race for the province’s 4th District in the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

Abas has received 48,490 votes, according to 98.80% of total election returns as of Tuesday, September 15, 12:59 pm, a day after the landmark polls.

The former vice governor ran under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party or UBJP, the party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front led by Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, the MILF’s chairman.

Abas’ closest competitor is former Maguindanao 1st District representative Bai Sandra Ampatuan Sema, the bet of the Bangsamoro Party. She has obtained only 33,975 votes, making it impossible to surpass Abas.

Other candidates trailing behind in the race are former Upi municipal councilor Alexander Petalcorin Agustin, the bet of the Bangsamoro Empowerment and Social Transformation Party, and independent candidate Jashriya Sema Dilangalen.

Abas’ victory is a blow to the attempt of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) to secure seats in the province. 

Maguindanao del Norte is the bailiwick of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, who is president of the BFP. Macacua previously served as acting governor of Maguindanao del Norte. – Rappler.com