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2025 Philippine local elections in Bangsamoro

The 2025 Philippine local elections in Bangsamoro were held on May 12, 2025.

Summary

Governors

Vice governors

Provincial boards

Basilan

Governor

Term-limited incumbent Governor Hadjiman Hataman Salliman of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) ran for vice governor of Basilan. He was previously affiliated with PDP–Laban.

The PFP nominated Salliman's son, provincial board member Jay Hataman Salliman, who was defeated by his uncle, representative Mujiv Hataman of the Basilan Unity Party. Osama Mutamad (Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma) also ran for governor.

Vice Governor

Term-limited incumbent Vice Governor Yusop Alano of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) ran for the House of Representatives in Basilan's lone legislative district. He was previously affiliated with PDP–Laban.

The PFP nominated Basilan governor Hadjiman Hataman Salliman, who ran against former Bangsamoro member of parliament Alzad Sattar (Basilan Unity Party).

Provincial Board

Since Basilan's reclassification as a 1st class province in 2025, the Basilan Provincial Board is composed of 14 board members, 10 of whom are elected.

The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas won five seats, becoming the largest party in the provincial board.

1st district

Basilan's 1st provincial district is composed of the city of Isabela and the municipalities of Hadji Muhtamad, Lantawan and Maluso. Four board members are elected from this provincial district.

Nine candidates were included in the ballot.

2nd district

Basilan's 2nd provincial district is composed of the city of Lamitan and the municipalities of Akbar, Al-Barka, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Sumisip, Tabuan-Lasa, Tipo-Tipo, Tuburan and Ungkaya Pukan. Six board members are elected from this provincial district.

11 candidates were included in the ballot.

Cotabato City

Mayor

Incumbent Mayor Bruce Matabalao of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party ran for a second term.

Matabalao won re-election against Cotabato City vice mayor Butch Abu (Lakas–CMD), former Cotabato City mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi (Nationalist People's Coalition), and Hailah Dilangalen (Independent).

Vice Mayor

Incumbent Vice Mayor Butch Abu of Lakas–CMD ran for mayor of Cotabato City. He was previously affiliated with the United Bangsamoro Justice Party.

Lakas–CMD nominated Barangay Kalanganan Mother chairman Bimbo Pasawiran, who was defeated by former Barangay Poblacion 2 chairman Johair Madag of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party. City councilor Jayjay Guiani (Nationalist People's Coalition) also ran for mayor.

City Council

The Cotabato City Council is composed of 14 councilors, 10 of whom are elected.

40 candidates were included in the ballot.

The United Bangsamoro Justice Party won 10 seats, gaining a majority in the city council.

Lanao del Sur

Governor

Incumbent Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. of Lakas–CMD ran for a third term.

Adiong won re-election against Fiat Macarambon (United Bangsamoro Justice Party).

Vice Governor

Incumbent Vice Governor Mujam Adiong of Lakas–CMD is running for a third term.

Adiong won re-election against Bangsamoro member of parliament Marjanie Macasalong (United Bangsamoro Justice Party), and Mansawi Mimbalawag (Reform PH Party).

Provincial Board

The Lanao del Sur Provincial Board is composed of 13 board members, 10 of whom are elected.

Lakas–CMD won eight seats, gaining a majority in the provincial board.

1st district

Lanao del Sur's 1st provincial district consists of the same area as Lanao del Sur's 1st legislative district. Five board members are elected from this provincial district.

14 candidates were included in the ballot.

2nd district

Lanao del Sur's 2nd provincial district consists of the same area as Lanao del Sur's 2nd legislative district. Five board members are elected from this provincial district.

18 candidates were included in the ballot.

Maguindanao del Norte

Governor

Incumbent Governor Sharifudin Mastura of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) retired. He became governor on March 27, 2025, after Abdulraof Macacua became the Chief Minister of Bangsamoro.

The PFP nominated Mastura's father, Sultan Kudarat mayor Tucao Mastura, who won the election against former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Suharto Mangudadatu (Al Ittahad–UKB Party).

Vice Governor

Incumbent Vice Governor Abdulnasser Abas of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) ran for the Bangsamoro Parliament in Maguindanao del Norte's 4th regional district. He became vice governor on March 26, 2024, after Ainee Sinsuat resigned.

The UBJP nominated Datu Blah T. Sinsuat mayor Marshall Sinsuat, who won the election against former Maguindanao del Norte vice governor Ainee Sinsuat (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas).

Provincial Board

Since Maguindanao del Norte's reclassification as a 4th class province in 2025, Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Board is composed of 12 board members, eight of whom are elected.

The United Bangsamoro Justice Party won four seats, becoming the largest party in the provincial board.

1st district

Maguindanao del Norte's 1st provincial district consists of the municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura. Four board members are elected from this provincial district.

15 candidates were included in the ballot.

2nd district

Maguindanao del Norte's 2nd provincial district consists of the municipalities of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Northern Kabuntalan, Talitay and Upi. Four board members are elected from this provincial district.

Nine candidates were included in the ballot.

Maguindanao del Sur

Governor

Incumbent Governor Mariam Mangudadatu of the Nacionalista Party ran for a full term. She was appointed as governor by President Bongbong Marcos on April 28, 2023, following Maguindanao del Sur's creation in 2022.

Mangudadatu was defeated by former Talayan mayor Ali Midtimbang of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

Vice Governor

Incumbent Vice Governor Nathaniel Midtimbang of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas ran for mayor of Datu Anggal Midtimbang. He was appointed as vice governor by President Bongbong Marcos on April 28, 2023, following Maguindanao del Sur's creation in 2022.

Midtimbang endorsed Hisham Nando (United Bangsamoro Justice Party), son of former Wa'lī of Bangsamoro Khalipha Nando, won the election against Mamasapano vice mayor Benzar Ampatuan (Nacionalista Party).

Provincial Board

The Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Board is composed of 14 board members, 10 of whom are elected.

The Nacionalista Party won four seats, becoming the largest party in the provincial board.

1st district

Maguindanao del Sur's 1st provincial district consists of the municipalities of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, South Upi and Talayan. Five board members are elected from this provincial district.

11 candidates were included in the ballot.

2nd district

Maguindanao del Sur's 2nd provincial district consists of the municipalities of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, General Salipada K. Pendatun, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan and Sultan sa Barongis. Five board members are elected from this provincial district.

13 candidates were included in the ballot.

Tawi-Tawi

Governor

Incumbent Governor of Tawi-Tawi Yshmael Sali of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino ran for a third term. He was previously affiliated with the Tawi-Tawi One Party.

Sali won re-election against former representative Ruby Sahali (Aksyon Demokratiko).

Vice Governor

Incumbent Vice Governor Al-Syed Sali of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas ran for a second term. He was previously affiliated with the Tawi-Tawi One Party.

Sali won re-election against Algarad Lipae (Aksyon Demokratiko).

Provincial Board

Since Tawi-Tawi's reclassification as a 1st class province in 2025, the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Board is composed of 16 board members, 10 of whom are elected.

The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas won seven seats, becoming the largest party in the provincial board.

1st district

Tawi-Tawi's 1st provincial district consists of the municipalities of Bongao, Mapun, Sibutu, Simunul, Sitangkai and Turtle Islands. Six board members are elected from this provincial district.

11 candidates were included in the ballot.

2nd district

Tawi-Tawi's 2nd provincial district consists of the municipalities of Languyan, Panglima Sugala, Sapa-Sapa, South Ubian and Tandubas. Four board members are elected from this provincial district.

11 candidates were included in the ballot.

Election-related incidents

The Philippine National Police said that BARMM has the second-highest number of election-related incidents, with eight cases recorded, while COMELEC designated 90% of the region's municipalities and cities as areas of concern. In April 2025, more than 400 soldiers were redeployed from the Zamboanga Peninsula to Lanao del Sur to enhance security in the province following incidents of violence. In Lanao del Sur and Basilan, 888 police officers were deputized as members of local Special Election Boards. COMELEC also approved the holding of vote canvassing in Maguindanao del Sur to be held at the headquarters of the Philippine Army's Sixth Infantry Division in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

On October 8, 2024, clashes between supporters of rival politicians on the last day of candidate registration in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur left a barangay watchman dead and six people injured, one of them critically. On October 19, a candidate for councilor in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, was shot dead in an ambush by unidentified suspects that also injured his wife. On December 21, the provincial election supervisor of Sulu survived an ambush that killed his brother in Zamboanga City. On December 25, a petitioner who complained about the presence of flying voters was shot dead in Pualas, Lanao del Sur. A subsequent judicial investigation found that 1,750 names on the town's voter rolls were fraudulent.

On January 18, 2025, a candidate for councilor in Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte, was shot dead in Midsayap, Cotabato. On February 4, Anwar Saluwang, the mayor of Nabalawag in the Special Geographic Area of Cotabato, was arrested in Davao City for violating the nationwide gun ban imposed as part of the election. On February 11, a vice mayoral candidate of Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, survived an ambush on his vehicle. On February 24, Omar Samama, the reelectionist vice mayor of Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, was shot and injured while speaking at an event. On March 26, the COMELEC officer for Datu Odin Sinsuat was killed in an ambush along with her husband, prompting COMELEC to place the municipality under its control on April 4.

On April 13, Datu Omar Baba, a reelectionist candidate for the provincial board of Maguindanao del Sur was injured along with his driver in an ambush in Datu Anggal Midtimbang. On April 15, the town of Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur was placed under COMELEC control due to continuing violence, including an incident where grenades were thrown at the municipal hall. On May 4, a grenade attack was carried out on the residence in Buluan of Maguindanao del Sur vice gubernatorial candidate Hisham Nando, who was campaigning elsewhere at the time. On May 10, a candidate for councilor and a student died in a clash in Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur. On May 11, four people were killed in clashes between supporters of rival mayoral candidates in Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan, while four others were injured in a shootout between supporters of rival political parties in Cotabato City.

On polling day, clashes broke out in Marawi between supporters of rival candidates, while a poll watcher poured water on a vote-counting machine. Voting was delayed in Datu Odin Sinsuat after voters protested against the local election boards and barricaded the municipal hall. Two people, a councilor candidate and his sibling, an incumbent barangay chairman were killed in Bayang, Lanao del Sur. Three supporters of a mayoral candidate in Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan, were killed in a shootout with police.

On May 28, a newly elected councilor of Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur was shot dead near his residence.

References