BEFORE the May 9, 2022 national and local elections, it was clear that most of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (BARMM) local government officials were at odds with the leaders of the region's transition government and the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) political party, in their choice of the future Philippine President. They endorsed their aspirants for the presidency differently and rather dramatically. Except for the incumbent and reelected Basilan governor, the other local government officials — current, past and aspiring governors, city mayors, congressmen, many municipal mayors, and traditional leaders — gathered at the Manila Hotel in the evening of April 22, pledging their commitment of support to Bongbong Marcos (BBM, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.). They also assured him that they would prevent cheating in the May 9 national and local polls.

The following day, which turned out to be the birthday of candidate for president and outgoing vice president Maria Leonor 'Leni' Robredo, the Bangsamoro Interim Authority (BTA) chief minister, who also serves as the UBJP chairman, raised her arm at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat municipality, Maguindanao, pronouncing that she was the party's choice as the country's next chief executive. She was reportedly the first national candidate that the UBJP endorsed since its creation in 2014. The party chose her mainly because she reportedly co-authored the Bangsamoro organic bill in Congress, and that she fully understood the Bangsamoro's concerns particularly the country's commitments to peace agreements.