Hundreds of community leaders from Basilan have formally joined the newly established Bangsamoro Federalist Party in a symbolic oath-taking ceremony held over the weekend in Lamitan City.

The event was officiated by Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament member Tomanda Antok, who administered the oath to barangay officials, municipal councilors, and representatives of various indigenous and Moro groups, including the Yakan, Tausug, and Sama communities.

The political development comes as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has approved 16 regional political parties to participate in the upcoming BARMM parliamentary elections scheduled for September 14.The Bangsamoro Federalist Party is among these groups positioning themselves ahead of the historic regional polls.

Reports also indicate that Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay, along with 10 of the 11 mayors in Basilan, previously expressed political support for the party during a caucus held in Zamboanga City a week prior to the ceremony.

They were reportedly joined by leaders associated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), including BARMM parliament member Dan Asnawie, signaling broad-based political alignment in the province.

During the ceremony, BARMM parliament member Naguib Sinarimbo, who chairs the Cotabato chapter of the party, expressed appreciation for the support extended by Basilan officials and community leaders.He highlighted the participation of local executives and delegates from Central Mindanao who attended the activity in Lamitan City.

The event reflects growing political mobilization within the BARMM region as local leaders align themselves with emerging regional parties ahead of the first parliamentary elections, which are seen as a key milestone in the Bangsamoro region’s political transition and self-governance framework.