Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno addresses his supporters at CSI Stadia in Dagupan City during his campaign sortie on Friday, Feb. 18. (Photo by WIllie Lomibao)
MANILA, Philippines — Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al hajj Murad” Ebrahim seemingly endorsed Manila mayor and presidential candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, after referring to him as the “incoming president.”
“Pagbati kay Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, our incoming president, welcome sa Bangsamoro government,” Murad said to Moreno during his courtesy call.
(Greetings to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, our incoming president, welcome to the Bangsamoro government.)
Moreno is the first 2022 presidential candidate who met with Murad, who apart from being the Bangsamoro chief minister is also the chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
During the courtesy call, Murad said that he was 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.
“It is a challenging task because we ourselves are transforming from a revolutionary government bureaucracy,” Murad said.
“But as you can see, marami pang kulang (there is much more to be done), kasi itong (because this) transition is not only for the government, but also there is another track which is more challenging, which is the normalization track,” he added.
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, on 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,” Murad said.
Meanwhile, Moreno for his part, expressed elation over Murad’s show of support.
“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 sa BARMM,” Moreno said in an interview after the courtesy call.
(Many, many thanks to our beloved Chief Minister, to the senior ministers, members of the parliament, cabinet, and our colleagues here, our government staff here at BARMM.)
“Talagang na overwhelm kami sa good words ni Chief Minister at ng sampu ng kanyang mga kasama,” he added.
(We were really overwhelmed by the good words of the Chief Minister and ten of his comrades.)
Moreno then vowed that his administration, if elected president, will adhere strictly 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,” said Moreno.
(We have really committed to continuity. So, all I have to do is copy President Duterte. We will just continue what we have already started. All things are in place, so what we’re gonna do, those laws, which are written in letters, we’re just going to put in our hearts. And the one who puts his heart to understanding the law is a leader, he is the one I will address, so that we as Filipinos, whether Muslim or Christian, can achieve true peace and prosperity for all.)
“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,” he added.
(So, of all those things that are written in those laws we will just implement so that there will be continuity, there will be predictability, that’s what’s important maybe on the talking sides.)
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