Al-hajj Murad calls Moreno ‘Incoming President’
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al-hajj Murad” Ebrahim virtually endorsed Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso when he greeted him as “our incoming president” during Moreno’s courtesy call to members of the BARRM government Monday.
“Pagbati kay Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, our incoming president, welcome sa Bangsamoro government,” Murad said to Moreno.
As such, Ebrahim, who is also chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said he is looking forward to working with Moreno as BARMM faces the challenging task of sustaining the momentum of the peace process towards lasting peace in Mindanao.
Ebrahim stressed the need to continue the programs and reforms uplifting the plight of the Bangsamoro people, especially during the extended transition period, to honor the sacrifices and services of the Bangsamoro people who went through so much pain and suffering in their struggle for justice.
Last October 28, President Rodrigo Duterte enacted Republic Act 11593, which reset the first election in the BARMM to May 2025, effectively extending the Bangsamoro transition period from June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2025, when the first set of elected officials shall have taken their oaths of office.
“It is a challenging task because we ourselves are transforming from a revolutionary government bureaucracy,” Ebrahim pointed out, as the MILF is also transitioning from an armed group to a social movement.
Besides the many challenges of operating a ministerial parliamentary government under a presidential unitary system, he said a more challenging task ahead is the period of “normalization.”
“But as you can see, marami pang kulang, kasi itong transition is not only for the government, but also there is another track which is more challenging, which is the normalization track,” Ebrahim pointed out.
Under the normalization period, MILF combatants will be decommissioned along with their weapons as major milestones of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) are achieved. Recognized MILF camps will also be transformed into productive economic zones.
“So, in behalf of our government, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, we welcome you Sir, and your party, dito sa BARRM, and we look forward to working with you,” Ebrahim said.
Mayor Isko was very grateful for Ebrahim’s show of support and confidence to his candidacy.
“Maraming, maraming salamat sa ating minamahal na Chief Minister, sa mga senior ministers, members of the parliament, cabinet, at ang ating mga kasamahan dito, mga kawani ng ating pamahalaan dito a BARMM. Talagang na overwhelm kami sa good words ni Chief Minister at ng sampu ng kanyang mga kasama,” he said in an interview after the courtesy call.
“Wala akong maisip na salita sa sobrang saya na nagbubunga nang unti-unti, yung pagsisikap natin ng aming grupo na talagang bumaba lumapit sa tao at humingi ng tulong. At sana yung nangyayari ngayon dito sa buong BARMM ay mangyari sa buong Mindanao at sa buong Pilipinas, I am hoping. But today I’m grateful to our Muslim brothers and sisters, and with Christians here sa Mindanao, masayang masaya ako, thank you very much talaga. Salamat sa Diyos,” Moreno told reporters.
If elected president, Moreno vowed that his administration will strictly adhere to the provisions of the BARMM law in order to achieve long-lasting peace in Mindanao.
“Talagang ikinomit natin na yung continuity. So, ang gagawin ko mangongopya na lang ako kay Pangulong Duterte. Itutuloy na lang natin yung mga nasimulan na. All things are in place,so what we’re gonna do, yung mga batas na yon, na mga letrang naisulat, ay lalagyan na lang natin ng puso.”
“At ang naglalagay ng puso sa pag-unawa sa batas ay lider ay siya naman aking tutugunan, na makamit natin bilang Pilipino, Muslim man o Kristyano, ang tunay na kapayapaan at kasaganahan para sa lahat,” explained Moreno.
“So, of all those things that are written in those laws ay ipatutupad na lang natin so that there will be continuity, there will be predictability, yun ang importante siguro sa mga naguusap-usap na panig. May awa ang Diyos, sa tulong ninyo palarin tayo, ipatutupad natin yung marapat lamang para sa bawat Pilipino,” said Moreno.
