By PMT Desk

ILIGAN CITY – A leading opposition regional political party in the Bangsamoro region is ready to participate in the forthcoming first ever Parliamentary Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) next year, according to a Party official in a broadcast recently.

Al Ittihad-UKB, Secretary General Mohajeran  “Odjie” Balayman in a recent broadcast message said that membership of the party has already reached to 120,000. “At patuloy pang dumarami,” added Balayman who is also incumbent mayor of Pandag, Maguindanao del Sur.

In Marawi City, over a thousand members and supporters of Al Ittihad-UKB Party coming from the Islamic City of Marawi and various towns in the province of Lanao del Sur attended the party’s first provincial assembly and oath-taking ceremony on Saturday, March 9, at the International Convention Center of the Mindanao State University (MSU), party local official said.

Sultan Solaiman Lala, member of the General Party Committee, said that no less than Dr. Suharto T. Mangudadatu, party national president, had graced the occasion. In his short message, Mangudadatu has underscored the vision of the Party for a dignified and peaceful Bangsamoro, said Sultan Lala.

Other party executives led by General Party Committee Chairman MP Ali Sangki who administered the Oath-Taking ceremony also joined the event, he added.

Among Party leaders who attended were Atty. Badrodin Mangindra, former Bangsamoro Member of Parliament (MP) Prof. Punduma Sani, Atty. Eid Kabalu, former MP Dr. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan, former Lanao del Sur Governor Aleem Basher Manalao, Dr. Abdul Pagayao, Party Executive Director Dr. Amor Pendaliday, Pandag Municipal Mayor Mohajeran Balaiman, Party city coordinator and chairperson for Marawi City Engr. Sehawie A. Lala, Party Provincial Coordinator for Lanao del Sur Mr. Abulkhair M. Alibasa and others.

Mangudadatu, a seasoned politician, had previously served as Governor of Sultan Kudarat from 2007 to 2016, and again from 2019 to 2022. Earlier, Mangudadatu was elected Representative of both the Lone District (2004-07) and First District (2016-19) of Sultan Kudarat.

Presently, he is the Executive Director of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Sultan Lala is the secretary general and caretaker of Ompia Party in Marawi City. While he is a GPC member, his son, Engr. Sehawie A. Lala, is Party city coordinator and chairman for Marawi of Al Ittihad-KUB Party. The young Lala is the barangay chairman of Boto-Ambolong, Marawi City.