United Bangsamoro Justice Party Explained

United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP)
Native Name:حزب العدالة بانجسامورو المتحدة (Arabic)
Colorcode:
  1. 228B22
President:Murad Ebrahim
Secretary General:Sammy Al-Mansoor
Foundation:2014
Religion:Islam
Headquarters:Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao
Colors: Green
National:Moro Islamic Liberation Front
National Unity Party (unofficial)
House Seats: (Bangsamoro seats only)
Governorships: (Bangsamoro only)
Vice Governorships: (Bangsamoro only)
Provincial Boards: (Bangsamoro regular seats only)
Party Name: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).

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).[1] [2] 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]

2025 Bangsamoro election

The UBJP will take part in the first 2025 Bangsamoro Parliament election. In February 2024, the party claimed 20,000 members, double the minimum required members for political parties under the Bangsamoro Election Code.[10]

Leadership

President
Secretary-General
Vice President for Central Mindanao

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Santos. Tina. MILF forms own political party. 12 May 2015. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 9 May 2015.
  2. News: Unson. John. Stakeholders: MILF political party a boost to political stability. https://web.archive.org/web/20161011100831/http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/05/09/1452911/stakeholders-milf-political-party-boost-political-stability. 11 October 2016. 12 May 2015. The Philippine Star. 9 May 2015.
  3. News: Unson . John . MILF political party to focus on plebiscite, stay out of May 2019 polls . 8 October 2018 . Philippine Star . 8 October 2018.
  4. News: MILF’s party flexing muscles for 2022 polls . 10 October 2021 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 1 October 2021.
  5. News: Solaiman . Taher G. . 11 Maguindanao mayors join MILF political party . 13 May 2021 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 13 May 2021 . en.
  6. News: Cabrera . Ferdinandh . MILF’s political party endorses Toto Mangudadatu- Bai Sandra Sema for Maguindanao . 29 September 2021 . MindaNews . 26 September 2021.
  7. News: Sarao . Zacarian . Isko Moreno gets endorsement of BARMM chief minister Murad . 22 February 2022 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 21 February 2022.
  8. News: UBJP: Warm welcome for Isko Moreno not tantamount to endorsement . 22 February 2022 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . Inquirer Mindanao. 22 February 2022 . en.
  9. News: Cepeda . Mara . Robredo scores sweet birthday endorsement from top BARMM, MILF party leaders . 23 April 2022 . Rappler . 23 April 2022.
  10. News: Sarmiento . Bong . UBJP, MILF’s political party, gears up for first Bangsamoro parliamentary election . 20 February 2024 . MindaNews . 17 February 2024.
  11. News: MILF launches political party . 20 February 2024 . ABS-CBN News . 25 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151229062902/https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/12/25/14/milf-launches-political-party . 29 December 2015.