'BBM slate should include more Muslim candidates'

PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on Muslim Affairs Almarim Centi Tillah said Muslim representation was seriously lacking in the administration's senatorial slate for the 2025 midterm elections. Tillah described it as a "troubling oversight," citing the importance of inclusivity and diversity in Philippine governance. He warned that this could exacerbate the growing disillusionment among Filipino Muslims who feel marginalized by the political establishment. "The absence of Muslim representation in the 2025 senatorial slate sends a disheartening message to the Muslim community. We continue to struggle for our rightful place in governance, yet the administration has failed to recognize the importance of having a Muslim voice in the Senate to advocate for the unique concerns of our people," Tillah said. "How can we expect Muslims to engage in the national political process when they see their interests overlooked?" he added. Tillah, a well-respected leader within the Muslim community, said that the lack of Muslim candidates in the administration's senatorial lineup was a missed opportunity to give the country's Muslim population representation at the highest legislative level. He added that Muslims, who make up a substantial portion of the Philippine population, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), have long contributed to the nation's history, culture and development. Despite the creation of the BARMM, many Filipino Muslims still feel that they are underrepresented in national policymaking, he said. Tillah added that without Muslim senators who understand the needs of Filipino Muslims, it would be difficult to create laws beneficial to them. Tillah said repeated calls for greater representation of Muslim Filipinos in national governance were repeatedly ignored.