Murad leads new Bangsamoro government
COTABATO CITY – Wearing a short-sleeved Barong, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair AlHajj Murad Ebrahim formally assumed as interim chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in formal turnover rites here Tuesday.
With his right palm on his chest as he sang Lupang Hinirang, Ebrahim demonstrated his allegiance to the Philippine flag for the first time.
Ebrahim, who assumed the MILF leadership in 2003, emphasized that the MILF is now waging a different level of jihad. Unlike Moro fighters waging war in the battlefield, Murad said they will be waging a jihad against all forms of ills in the government.
In the past, he said, the MILF’s enemy was not the government and its soldiers but oppression. "Our enemy now is manipulation. Our enemy now is graft and corruption. Our enemy now is nepotism," said Murad in his acceptance speech.
He recalled that the assumption of MILF in the BARMM comes 22 years after formal peace negotiations with the government. He called on MILF supporters to remain steadfast in supporting the new Bangsamoro government.
"We succeeded partially, our success will (be) seeing that good governance will prevail in our system," he concluded.
The 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will govern the BARMM during the three-year transition period until June 30, 2022.
By then, the existing ARMM that covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-tawi will already include Cotabato City and the 63 barangays of North Cotabato. During their three-year stint, the BTA will craft the administrative code, local government, code and electoral codes.
Sacrifices of the Bangsamoro
Outgoing ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman acknowledged the years of sacrifice of the Bangsamoro people saying: “Ang Bangsamoro ay ang bawat mujahideen, ang mga ama at ina at anak at kapatid ng mga mujahideen, ang mga pinaslang sa Bud Dajo at Palimbang at sa napakarami pang ibang lugar.”
“Ang Bangsamoro ay ang tao, ang lahi, ang kultura, ang puso, ang dugo na idinilig sa lupaing ito. Ang Bangsamoro ay ang lahat na dumaan sa karanasang Moro. Lahat ng inagawan at inapi, lahat ng iniwasan dahil sa kanilang salita o pananamit, lahat ng nagsakripisyo o nagtrabaho nang tahimik,” added Hataman in a moving speech that reduced many of those in the audience to tears.
He said the Bangsamoro people remains hopeful that they will be able to regain their honor and recognize the Muslims as people with dignity and greatness. “Tayo ang Bangsamoro," Hataman said.
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez, in his speech, likened the BARMM to a rainbow that should remain together.
“Each color is uniquely beautiful and has a special purpose. It is reflective of the various tribes and beliefs that co-exist in the Bangsamoro homeland. But we can only maximize its beauty
and power if we work harmoniously and collectively,” said Galvez.
During the turnover ceremonies, Murad named 10 of the 15 cabinet ministers.
He named Engr. Edward Guerra as Finance and Budget Management minister; Atty. Raissa Jajurie for Social Services; MILF Information Committee chair Mohagher Iqbal as Basic Education minister; Dr. Safrula Dipatuan of Bangsamoro Development Agency as Health Minister; lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo as Local Government minister; Abdulrauf Makakua, the former chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces as Environment minister; Mohammad Suaib Acob as Agriculture minister; Husain Muñoz as Public Order and Safety minister, and Timuay Melanio Ulama as Indigenous People minister.
Murad designated himself as the temporary minister for Public Works.
Meanwhile, Murad disclosed that the decommissioning of its armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) may take some time pending the revalidation of its forces. Upon ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the MILF shall decommission 30 percent of its weapons and forces.