The House of Representatives has adopted a resolution expressing its profound condolences on the passing of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament Speaker and former Deputy Speaker Pangalian Balindong.
During Monday’s plenary session, the lower chamber adopted House Resolution No. 336 honoring the life of Balindong, who also served as the representative of the 2nd District of Lanao del Sur during the 10th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Congresses.
Balindong died on October 2 at the age of 85. He served as a member of the BTA Parliament from 2019 until his death.
He was also a prominent advocate for the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the landmark legislation that established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Earlier, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo described Balindong as a ‘pillar of the Bangsamoro government’ whose contributions are ‘deeply etched in the history of the region.’
Lagdameo added that the reforms and initiatives championed by Balindong in the Bangsamoro Parliament are foundational to the region’s current peace and progress.
For his part, Deputy Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong described Balindong’s legacy as ‘a beacon of fire illuminating the world and inviting thousands, if not millions, to take up his cause.’
‘Uncle Ali was a pillar of our family, a pillar of the Bangsamoro people, and truly a pillar of this nation,’ Adiong said in his privilege speech. ‘His passing marks the end of an era, but more importantly, the beginning of a legacy that will endure well beyond his lifetime and ours.’
He added: ‘He was one of the few who could bridge two worlds-the traditional and the modern, the local and the national. He was both a statesman and a sultan, carrying with him the wisdom of our ancestors and the pragmatism of a legislator.’