Convening of BARMM parliament lauded

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Escudero yesterday lauded last Friday’s convening of the first elected Bangsamoro Parliament, calling it a historic milestone in the country’s peace-building efforts.

He also congratulated Abdulraof Macacua for being elected chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to lead the newly elected members of the 80-seat parliament.

“This is a victory not only for the Bangsamoro people but for the entire country,” Escudero said. “We hope this parliament will help translate the gains of peace into tangible progress and development for the people it now serves."

In a statement yesterday, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto congratulated the people of BARMM and said the inaugural session marks a defining moment in their march toward lasting peace and genuine self-governance.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue, meanwhile, expressed support and solidarity to the new Bangsamoro government.

CBCP ECID Convener Most. Rev. Jose Colin Bagaforo said the “Church will continue to walk with our Muslim brothers and sisters, with Indigenous Peoples and with all communities in the region in dialogue, friendship and the common work of building a just and lasting peace.”

Bagaforo also congratulated the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for a peaceful and democratic transition from its interim administration.