The passing of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong is a ‘tremendous loss’ for the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to a top presidential aide.
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 pointed out that the Speaker’s commitment to peace and the welfare of the Bangsamoro people should guide current and future regional leaders. ‘Speaker Balindong’s efforts and legacy must not only be honored but also carried forward by those in leadership. His vision for peace, reform, and development in the Bangsamoro should continue to inspire governance in Barmm,’ Lagdameo said in a statement.
He added that the reforms and initiatives championed by the late Speaker in the Bangsamoro Parliament are foundational to the region’s current peace and progress.
Balindong, who died on October 2 at age 85, left behind a long legacy of public service. He represented Lanao del Sur in Congress, first from 1995 to 1998, and then from 2007 to 2016, and 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 Barmm.