Ismael Abubakar Jr.

The Honorable Ismael "Pochong" Abubakar Jr.
Abubakar in a PCID conference
1st Speaker of the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly
In office June 30, 1990 – 1993
7th Speaker of the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly
In office August 2003 – Unknown
Vice Governor of Tawi-Tawi
In office 1988–1990
Personal details
Born	Ismael Abubakar Jr. April 17, 1949 Jolo, Sulu
Died	June 6, 2017 Zamboanga City, Philippines
Political party	UNA (2013)
Other political affiliations	Lakas-CMD Liberal Party (Philippines)

Ismael "Pochong" Abubakar Jr (April 17, 1949 - June 6, 2017) was a Filipino politician who served as the first speaker of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. In 1988 he served as the Vice Governor of Tawi-Tawi, and in 1990 was elected to the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly, where he served as its first speaker. Ismael Pochong Abubakar Jr died in June 2017.

Career

Abubakar was selected to serve as the Vice Governor of the Tawi-Tawi province in 1988, despite being a member of the opposition party. In 1990, he was elected to a seat in the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly, and became that body's first speaker. In May 2003 Abubakar was elected as speaker of the Regional Legislative Assembly, but was prevented by a court order from exercising the functions of that office because Ibrahim Ibay also claimed that position, and the two had effectively been acting as speaker at the same time. In August 2003 he was again elected speaker of the Regional Legislative Assembly, making him its third speaker in 14 months. Abubakar also served as the first president of the Tawi-Tawo Chamber of Commerce Inc. In 2023, a posthumous award was given to Abubakar for his contributions to the chamber. The award was accepted by his family. In 2009, he was included in The 500 Most Influential Muslims list. His description on the list stated, “Abubakar is the former speaker of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's regional legislative assembly. He is now concentrating on business and interfaith dialogue, convening the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy. He is from the predominantly Muslim Sama tribe, which garners him a significant amount of respect in dealing with the Muslim militants.”