Equal district representation of ethnic groups in Tawi-Tawi assured

TAWI-TAWI - Committee on Rules Vice Chair Atty. Raissa Jajurie emphasized the Bangsamoro Parliament’s commitment to ensuring equal representation for all groups in the province, particularly benefiting indigenous communities.

The proposed establishment of three parliamentary districts aims to empower marginalized groups and ensure their voices are heard within the Bangsamoro Parliament.

Bangsamoro lawmakers pose with Tawi-Tawi Gov. Yshmael Sali during a recent public consultation.

The Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission in Tawi-Tawi has acknowledged the transformative effect of parliamentary districts, emphasizing their role in uplifting marginalized communities.

The establishment of these districts, the Commission believes, will give a platform for these communities to elect legislators who are familiar with their issues and can effectively argue for their rights and interests in the Bangsamoro Parliament.

Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representations representative Halim Tanji, a Badjao himself, expressed optimism that the proposed districts would enable different ethnic groups to participate in the electoral process, promoting equitable representation in the Bangsamoro Parliament.

Governor Yshmael Sali, in the provincial government’s position paper, echoing sentiments from the Sama and Badjao communities, has urged the grouping of municipalities with shared ethnolinguistic origins into a single parliamentary district.

Sali said that this approach not only recognizes the valuable contributions of these communities but also aligns with the inclusivity goals of the Tawi-Tawi government.

Tawi-Tawi, with a population of 440,276 out of BARMM’s 4.9 million, is set to have three parliamentary districts under the Parliament Bill No. 267.

The proposed districts are delineated as follows:

* The first district: Bongao, Mapun, and Turtle Islands.

* The second district: South Ubian, Languyan, Sapa-Sapa, and Tandubas.

* The third district: Panglima Sugala, Simunul, Sitangkai, and Sibutu.

Currently, Tawi-Tawi is represented by three Members of Parliament—Amilbahar Mawallil, Atty. John Anthony Lim, and Eddie Alih—out of the total 80 members in the Parliament.

As per the guidelines, parliamentary districts must be apportioned based on population and geographical area, with each district composed of contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory and a minimum population of 100,000.

The Committee on Rules will deliberate the results of public consultations and present a report in the plenary for further deliberations and approval in February. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)