Roughly a month after signing the appointment papers of a new set of parliament members, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was present in the Bangsamoro Parliament’s inaugural session in the afternoon yesterday, September 15. Sharing a stage with BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, this marks the president’s first visit to the Bangsamoro region since he was elected last May.
Also present in the inaugural session was the Moro National Liberation Front’s founder and leader, Nur Misuari, together with Datu Muslimin Sema.
Prior to the inaugural session, the members of parliament met with the chief minister to discuss prospects of the regional government. In the said meeting, MP Atty. Laisa Masuhud Alamia emphasized the need to work together as “one BTA” as they worked on amendments to the parliament’s rules of procedure.
During the session, Chief Minister Ebrahim cited the history of the peace process that resulted in the establishment of the BARMM, saying that it would be “a fitting end to this long journey” if the peace process can be “completed” under the Marcos administration.
The president, on the other hand, said that “the path to lasting peace is always under construction, but we walk this path together.”
“Even if it is difficult,” he said, “we know that at the end of the journey is historical justice, progress, peace, stability, and the unity that our peoples and the nation that have long aspired for and so rightly deserve.”
