Bandar Rajah Buayan  (July 23, 2025) - Bangsamoro leadership faced another crucial test on Monday, July 21,2025, when members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament voted on whether to refer the proposed Redistricting Bill back to the Joint Committee or not.

What seemed to be a procedural matter quickly turned into a moment of political reckoning, exposing internal rifts within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) bloc—long believed to hold the majority in Parliament.

A total of 23 MILF MPs voted “No”, expressing their intent to have the bill passed within the week, without further committee deliberation. However, the motion to return the bill to the committee prevailed during a division of the house vote—indicating that some within their own ranks may have sided with the other bloc.

This development came as a surprise and a disappointment to many MILF lawmakers, especially considering that under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the MILF was designated to lead the transitional government, holding the majority in the Parliament as part of the principle of exclusivity in the post-conflict arrangement.

The composition of the current BTA Parliament includes not only MILF members but also representatives from the MNLF (Nur Misuari faction), MNLF (Muslimin Sema faction), Indigenous Peoples (IP), settler communities, and traditional politicians, in accordance with the BOL’s inclusive and power-sharing framework.

This incident, however, is one of the many consequences of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s failure to fully comply with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)—specifically, in disregarding or modifying the original recommendations of the MILF for appointments to the BTA Parliament. As a result, the internal consistency and political alignment expected of a MILF-led Parliament have been weakened, affecting both unity and legislative direction.

Following the outcome of the vote, MILF MPs began to question whether they still truly hold the majority, especially with the BARMM regular elections approaching.

In a strongly worded social media post, MP Lanang Ali Jr. wrote on his DS Lance Tapudok account: “It’s important that we now know who the true MILF members are and who are not—it’s as clear as daylight.”

As of 9:30 AM, July 22, 2025, the post had already garnered 477 shares and 201 favorable comments, many of which expressed frustration and criticism toward MILF MPs who did not vote in favor of the MILF majority bloc, and who were perceived to have abandoned the collective position and direction of the group.

According to MP Ali’s post, the MILF MPs who voted "No"—opposing the motion to return the Redistricting Bill to the Joint Committee—are the following: MP Mohagher Iqbal MP Abdurahman Esmael MP Atty. Sha Elijah Alba MP Abdullah Hashim MP Antao Midtimbang MP Estino MP Ebil MP Salendab MP Asnawie MP Haron Abas MP Ali Solaiman MP Gayak MP Alauddin MP Toks Midtimbang MP Mantawil MP Zafrullah Dipatuan Sinolinding MP Pak MP Mohammad Yacob Speaker Pangalian Balindong MP Raissa Jajurie MP Lanang Ali Jr. MP Shiek MP Piang “I SALUTE YOU, MILF MPs,” MP Ali concluded in his post.

 As the first-ever BARMM elections approach, this incident highlights the growing complexity of the political dynamics within the regional government.

For many, this moment is a stark reminder of the importance of unity, principled leadership, and remaining faithful to the vision and mandate of the Bangsamoro struggle—one that is anchored in the peace agreements, and whose implementation must not be compromised.