Midtimbang denies leaving UBJP: ‘I remain committed’

MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR — Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Member of Parliament Tawakal Midtimbang, the elected representative of Maguindanao del Sur’s 1st District, has denied reports circulating on social media that he is abandoning the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP).

“Let me say this clearly and sincerely: I am not abandoning the UBJP, and I have no intention of doing so, Insha Allah,” Midtimbang said in an official statement issued on Friday, Oct. 2.

He said his commitment to the party, its principles, and the Bangsamoro cause “remains steadfast.”

Running under the UBJP, Midtimbang won the district seat in the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections with 62,302 votes, or 85.55 percent, defeating Bobby Midtimbang of Al Ittihad-UKB Party, who received 9,697 votes. The district covers the towns of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Talayan, Guindulungan, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, and South Upi.

He has served as an appointed member of the BTA Parliament under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) since Sept. 15, 2022, and was previously vice mayor of Guindulungan.

Midtimbang said his commitment is rooted in his family’s history, citing his father, former MP Datu Midpantao Midtimbang Sr., who he said devoted a significant part of his life to the Bangsamoro struggle and the cause of the MILF. The elder Midtimbang is also a former vice governor of Maguindanao and former mayor of Guindulungan.

The younger Midtimbang is a nephew of former governor Ali Midtimbang.

He said that as his father’s son, he witnessed the long negotiations that led to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and eventually the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

“For me, these are not merely political milestones,” he said, describing them as the sacrifices and hopes of generations of Bangsamoro.

He appealed to the public not to let rumors, political differences, or social media discussions cause division, and to verify information before accepting or sharing it.

Midtimbang congratulated voters who took part in the elections and all those elected, regardless of party.

“The campaign is over. It is now time to work together,” he said.

He noted that as the region transitions from the BTA to the first regular Bangsamoro Parliament on Oct. 30, elected district and sectoral representatives and party nominees will be responsible for organizing the Parliament and choosing its leadership.

“We may belong to different parties and have different views, but we share one responsibility: to serve the Bangsamoro people,” he said, urging his colleagues to choose dialogue over division and service over personal interest.

Midtimbang also expressed his “deepest respect and personal regard” for MILF Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim, Vice Chairman and MP Mohagher Iqbal, and Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, saying their lives and sacrifices form part of the continuing history of the Bangsamoro struggle.

“I remain committed to the Bangsamoro cause. I remain committed to peace and service. And, Insha Allah, I remain committed to the United Bangsamoro Justice Party,” he said.

The first regular Bangsamoro Parliament’s term runs from Oct. 30, 2026, to June 30, 2031.