Nur-Mahadil Ahaja Wins Tawi-Tawi Seat, Defeating Relative in BARMM Election
Former Bangsamoro parliamentarian Nur-Mahadil Ahaja captured the Tawi-Tawi 4th District seat, beating his relative Michail Ahaja and two other contenders.
The first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao concluded with former transition authority member Nur-Mahadil Ahaja winning the Tawi-Tawi 4th District seat. Backed by the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, Ahaja obtained 19,174 votes, representing 36.2% of the total, according to the Commission on Elections’ canvass. He defeated three opponents, including his own relative, independent candidate and current provincial board member Michail Ahaja, who garnered 16,796 votes (31.71%).
Independent Sanya Jamalul placed third with 16,044 votes (30.29%), while United Bangsamoro Justice Party’s Hamdan Musa Kasim received only 946 votes (1.79%). Ahaja will join the 32 district representatives serving a special five-year term from October 30, 2026, to June 30, 2031, forming 40% of the 80-seat Bangsamoro Parliament.
Why it matters
The result shapes the composition of the new Bangsamoro Parliament and influences regional governance in the Philippines.
How this story developed
- Sep 13 Three killed in rebel shootout just before historic Bangsamoro parliamentary vote
- Sep 15 Several district seats have been declared unopposed following the vote count.
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