REMEMBERING those who have suffered from years of conflict, which finally ended with the formation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim in Mindanao (BARMM), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for unity, statesmanship, and cooperation, at the first ever session of the Bangsamoro Parliament on Friday, with hopes to sustain peace and progress in the region.
In his speech, the chief executive recognized leaders from the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), who paved the way for peace in the conflict-torn region with the forging of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
He expressed hope that peace and progress will continue once the BARMM government starts its operation with the inaugural session of the Bangsamoro Parliament.
Prior to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, Mindanao was plagued by several separatist wars, including one waged by the MILF.
At their first session, the 80 members of Parliament elected their Chief Minister and Speaker to lead the executive branch, and the Cabinet alongside two Deputy Chief Ministers.
After the election, the BARMM government can start enacting regional laws, approving public spending, and overseeing government programs.
‘Today’s session also launches a new phase of parliamentary governance, working within our broader presidential system,’ Marcos said.
‘The new coalition must uphold unity, statesmanship, and cooperation to build a more peaceful and progressive BARMM,’ he added.
The groups that secured seats from the Bangsamoro Parliament allocated for political parties: Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) with 16 seats; United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political arm of MILF with 15 seats; the BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC) with eight seats; and the Raayat Democratic Party with one seat.
Of the 32 district representative seats, the BFP won 15. The rest of the seats were secured by UBJP (nine seats), Serbisyong Inklusibo Alyansang Progresibo (six seats), Progresibong Bangsamoro Party (one seat) and Al Ittihad-UKB (one seat).
The six sector representatives were Yul Adelfo Olaya and Mary Ann Arnado as representatives of the settler communities; Aida Silongan as representative for women; Sulffy Abbas as representative for youth; Muhammad Nadzir Ebil as representative for the ulama; and Marjanie Mimbantas-Macasalong as representative for traditional leaders.
The elected lawmakers will replace the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, which governed BARMM since 2019.
Earlier this month, Marcos had congratulated BFP president Abdulraof Macacua after their political party was able to form a 46 majority bloc, which exceeded the 41-seat threshold for forming a parliamentary majority.
Marcos reiterated that the national government will provide support, including economic opportunities, in Mindanao and BARMM.
‘I reaffirm the National Government’s support for Bangsamoro autonomy and democratic institutions. We stand ready to work with the government formally constituted by this newly elected Parliament,’ Marcos said.
‘To the people of the Bangsamoro: the National Government stands with you. Your success is the success of the country,’ he added.