By Sam Ramos
The Indigenous, Settlers, Sama, and Minority Alliance (ISAMA) Party has filed a petition for certiorari and a request for a writ of mandamus on November 25 before the Supreme Court, seeking a review of the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) decision to reject its application as a political party in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
ISAMA Party’s legal action aims to challenge the COMELEC ruling, which disqualified the group from participating in the upcoming parliamentary elections in BARMM. The party claims this decision undermines their intent to represent diverse groups, including indigenous communities, settlers, and minorities within the region.
The petition follows the COMELEC’s announcement approving only six out of 16 political groups that submitted their manifestation of intent to join the BARMM elections. ISAMA was among the 10 groups whose applications were denied.
Through their petition, ISAMA Party is asking the Supreme Court to overturn COMELEC’s decision, citing a need for inclusivity and fair representation in the political landscape of BARMM. The writ of mandamus, if granted, would compel COMELEC to reconsider their application.
The issue underscores the broader challenges of establishing political participation frameworks in BARMM, a region that continues to transition under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). The upcoming elections are seen as a significant milestone for self-governance and the inclusion of diverse voices in the Bangsamoro Parliament.
As of press time, COMELEC has not issued a statement regarding ISAMA’s petition. Legal observers note that the Supreme Court’s response to the petition could set a precedent for the treatment of party-list applications in autonomous regions.