Philippines' Muslim self-ruled region facing hung parliament

Cotabato, Philippines - The autonomous Muslim south of the Philippines appeared headed for a hung parliament on Tuesday, based on unofficial results released a day after landmark elections. Despite scattered violence, nearly every eligible voter turned out for the election, with 83% of voters participating. The country's elections chief praised the event, hailing the residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as fearless.

The two leading parties, the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) and the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), earned approximately 35.2% and 32.4% of the vote, respectively, as of Tuesday evening. Both parties currently believe they have secured around 32 and 29 seats, respectively, under the region's voting system that combines district candidates and party list votes.

The split within the traditional powerbroker, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), led to the creation of the BFP and UBJP. President Ferdinand Marcos chose Abdulraof Macacua, the BFP's interim chief minister, over the MILF's senior leadership. With one precinct closing its voting at 7pm on Tuesday, the BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC), composed of a coalition of regional political dynasties, now appears as the likely kingmaker.

Upon winning a seat, Macacua declined to comment on his plans to create a coalition, stating that they would "cross that bridge when we get to it."