Sheriff Manimbayan Abas
Lawyer; chairman of the Commission on Elections from 2017 to 2022, the first Mindanaoan and first Muslim in the post. Nephew of Mohagher Iqbal, UBJP's 2nd nominee, former BARMM education minister and MILF peace negotiator. Worked 8 years at the Civil Service Commission in the ARMM as a lawyer and acting assistant regional director.
Background compiled from Rappler, Ex-Comelec chair wins Cotabato City 1st District seat, Inquirer, Former Comelec chief wins Cotabato City 1st district race, Rappler, Comelec orders ex-chair Sheriff Abas to explain alleged vote-buying, Gulf News, 14 May 2019, Meet Sheriff Abas, 40, youngest chief of the Philippine election commission, GMA News, CA confirms Abas as new Comelec chair, Rappler, BARMM polls: Who are competing in Cotabato, the regional center?, Rappler, People: Sheriff Abas and GMA Regional TV One Mindanao, 6 Nov 2024, Ex-Comelec chair files COC for BARMM polls.
Elected 14 September 2026
District representative · Cotabato City's 1st district
United Bangsamoro Justice Party · 12,334 votes
Term: October 2026 – June 2031
Born
5 May 1979
Education
AB Philosophy, Notre Dame University, Cotabato City (1999)
Law, Ateneo de Davao University (2004); passed the bar 2005
Family
Nephew of Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief peace negotiator; later BARMM Minister of Basic, Higher and Technical Education
Husband of Jasmairah Irene M. Alang
Term of office
October 2026 – June 2031
Represents
Cotabato City's 1st district
Position
Member of Parliament · District representative
Legislative record
Measures they contributed to.
Nothing filed yet — this Parliament has not sat.
Sheriff Manimbayan Abas was elected on 14 September 2026 to the first Bangsamoro Parliament, whose term begins at noon on 30 October 2026. Bills and resolutions they file will appear here once Parliament publishes them.