By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
“Hinding-hindi namin kayo pababayaan.”
Such a simple Filipino statement, yet one that defines a powerful message—a commitment to not leave someone behind as time and progress pass by.
It was through this sentence that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. harkened back to the trials and tribulations that the Bangsamoro people went through over several decades as they pushed back to make their voices heard and their well-intentioned wishes be granted.
During the inaugural session of the Bangsamoro Parliament on Friday, he hailed the triumphant victory earned by the Muslims as the new government takes shape and bestows upon them the right to govern.
President Marcos Jr. addressed the members of the Parliament, “This session formally ends the seven-year transition under the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). This day is a milestone in the peace process between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, marking the transition from armed struggle to peaceful democratic governance.”
He likewise sympathized with the kin of those who suffered and lost their lives during the years of conflict, while also recognizing the valiant efforts of Muslim leaders from every side of the negotiation table that produced the Bangsamoro Organic Law and paved the way for the establishment of the BTA.
The Parliament’s first session comes more than a month after the first polls were held in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on September 14, 2026.
President Marcos Jr. elaborated, “Eighty elected members of Parliament will begin the work of organizing the first regular Bangsamoro Parliament. The members will elect the Chief Minister and Speaker, who will lead the Executive Branch and the Cabinet alongside two Deputy Chief Ministers. With this, you will have the foundation of your own government.”
He also expressed satisfaction at how the new self-governed entity is beginning to take shape, as operations to sustain the progress made over the decades start picking up momentum.
Call to action and reassurance
The President likewise urged the Parliament’s members to uphold unity, transparency, accountability, and cooperation to ensure responsive governance over their constituents.
He also reminded the lawmakers not to forget about the roots of the Parliament, and not to take for granted the sacrifices and hopes of many generations that are starting to bear fruit today.
A peaceful and progressive BARMM, he added, would only be possible through efficient utilization of public resources, enactment of rightful legislation, and delivering top-notch public services to Bangsamoro people.
At this juncture, President Marcos Jr. vowed full support from the national government to help the Parliament establish its footing and serve as a strong authority that champions peace and order while institutionalizing changes that resonate with the region’s constituents.
The Chief Executive concluded, “We stand ready to work with the government formally constituted by this newly elected Parliament. To the people of the Bangsamoro, the national government stands with you. Your success is the success of the country.”
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