24/08/2026
August 24, 2026
To my dear Mindanao State University Community,
My name is Atty. Mary Ann M. Arnado, a proud alumna of the Mindanao State
University (MSU) – main campus in Marawi City. I consider Marawi to be my second
home ever since I first set foot on MSU in 1987 when I took up Bachelor of Science in
International Relations at the King Faisal Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies.
My experience at MSU as a young student was truly life-defining. It molded my character to lead a simple life, to work hard and to genuinely serve the people. MSU opened my awareness to the rich culture of the Maranao people and deepened my understanding of the realities, aspirations and history surrounding the
Bangsamoro struggle. Defending the rights of Moro and indigenous peoples has become my life’s work as I have dedicated my entire career in the peace process, human rights, civilian protection, women empowerment and sustainable development in Mindanao.
I am writing to humbly seek your support for my candidacy as a Settler Communities Representative under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) in the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election this coming September 14, 2026. The Parliament provides for 8 reserved seats intended for marginalized communities in the Autonomous Region: 1 seat each for Women, Youth, Ulama and Traditional Leaders, 2 seats for the Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples, and 2 seats for the Settler Communities of which I am running for.
I am very new in politics, and I consider myself a reluctant candidate. This is the first time that I am running for a government elective office and what convinced me to run, in spite of the daunting challenges, is the compelling need to protect and sustain the gains of the peace process.
The United Bangsamoro Justice Party was born of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's decision to pursue through politics what it once pursued through arms. The transition is not yet finished, and the first regular Parliament will carry the unfinished work of normalization, decommissioning, transitional justice and reconciliation and the delivery of the agreement's promises. Hence, it is essential that the very leaders who worked for the peace agreement be given the opportunity to carry it out to its fruition.
As a candidate for the settler communities, I am counting on the support of every MSUans in Lanao, Maguindanao, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi -- my old classmates, dormmates, colleagues and kababayans, -- to vote for me and to endorse my candidacy to your respective families, clans and communities in the BARMM.
Thank you very much for your support to a fellow MSUan!
Respectfully yours,
Mary Ann M. Arnado
Settler Communities Representative.
No.3 sa Balota for UBJP
