Still no endorsement from Bangsamoro gov’t, MILF party even after 2 presidential bets’ visit

Mohagher Iqbal

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Bangsamoro Government and even the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have not endorsed any national candidate despite two of the presidential bets visiting them, ranking officials confirmed.

In two separate ambush interviews on Wednesday — after Vice President Leni Robredo visited the Bangsamoro Government Center (BGC) in the city — Bangsamoro Minister of Education Mohagher Iqbal and Minister of Interior Naguib Sinarimbo confirmed that they are still waiting to hear the platforms of other candidates for the 2022 presidential race.

Iqbal went further to say that he does not think the Bangsamoro Government, which handles the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), will actually endorse anyone.

“Wala pang official na pronouncement ang BARMM. Sa aking pananaw, sa aking nakikita ay hindi ho magcome out ang BARMM ng official na statement kung sino ang susuportahan pero welcome lahat ng kandidato pumunta dito at sa yun nga po, bigyan ng chance magpresent,” he told reporters at the BGC.

(There is no official pronouncement from the BARMM.  In my perspective, I don’t see that the BARMM would come out with an official statement about the candidate they would support in the upcoming elections but all candidates are welcome and would be given a chance to make presentations.)

“Sentro po ang aming gustong marinig sa kanila ung plataporma po nila tungkol sa BARMM, tungkol sa Moro issue, at saka tungkol din sa how to preserve and promote the gains of the peace process,” he added.

(At the center of what we want to hear from them is their platform about BARMM, about the Moro issue, and also about how to preserve and promote the gains of the peace process.)

This means that politicians are welcome to visit BARMM, currently headed by Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, to show their platform for the area.

Sinarimbo meanwhile clarified that UBJP, like the Bangsamoro Government, has not yet picked a candidate to support in the 2022 polls.

“Magde-decide po ‘yong leadership no’ng — pareho ng partido ng MILF, ‘yong United Bangsamoro Justice Party at saka ‘yong Bangsamoro Government kung sino ang karapat-dapat na maging pangulo ho no’ng ating bansa,” he added.

(And then the leadership would decide, just like the party of the MILF, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party and the Bangsamoro Government would decide who is the most deserving to be president of the country.)

But unlike Iqbal who thinks that BARMM as a whole would not make any endorsement, Sinarimbo revealed that there were internal talks as to when the endorsement would be made public.

“Meron tayo internally na napag-usapan kung kailan officially mage-endorse. But yung timetable natin dependent doon sa opportunity for other national candidates to present para maging patas pa rin ho at at objective ‘yong pagpili,” Sinarimbo, who also acts as BARMM spokesperson, said.

(We have had internal discussions on when the official endorsement would be out.  But our timetable is dependent on the opportunity for other national candidates to present, so that we can be fair and pick objectively.)

Aside from Robredo, only Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has formally talked to the Bangsamoro Government, receiving a warm welcome from the officials.  However, UBJP clarified last February 22 that this reception was not tantamount to an endorsement of Moreno.

READ: UBJP: Warm welcome for Isko Moreno not tantamount to endorsement

Jesse’s advocacy

As to why she made a stop in Cotabato City during the Central and Muslim Mindanao leg of her campaign, Robredo pointed to her desire for a long and lasting peace in the area.

But also, she said that the passage — and enactment — of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which paved the way for BARMM was a much-loved project of her late husband, former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo.

“Every time I have the opportunity na dumaan na gagawi dito, dumadaan talaga ako kasi isa to sa mga advocacies na una naiwan ng asawa ko nung namatay siya,” Robredo said.

(Every time I have the opportunity to go near here, I really drop by because this is one of the advocacies left behind by my husband when he died.)

She said she gave her best to support the BBL when it was in Congress, as she was part of the 16th Congress that tackled the legislation.

“Tapos nung nasa Congress ako, kaya ako nag-author, nag-co-author ng Bangsamoro Basic Law also because yung paniniwala talaga natin na kailangang ma-achieve yung long lasting peace dito. So yung bulk ng mga programa natin sa Angat Buhay sa Mindanao, nasa region talaga,” she said.

(Then when I was in Congress, the reason why I co-authored the Bangsamoro Basic Law is because of my belief that we really need to achieve the long lasting peace here.  So the bulk of our Angat Buhay programs in Mindanao are in this region.)

“So ngayon parang ano lang to, yung pagdaan namin, mas to congratulate them sa na-achieve na nila so far, to thank them for all the work that they have been doing no matter how difficult. Tsaka ano, among friends, kasi marami as kanila, nung pinapasa yung BBL pa sa 16th Congress, katrabaho na talaga namin,” she added.

(So our trip today is more like congratulating them for what they have achieved so far, to thank them for all the work that they have been doing no matter how difficult.  Also, we have many friends here because we have been working with them when we were passing the BBL before the 16th Congress.)

Sinarimbo, for his part, said that they are confident that if ever Robredo wins in the 2022 national elections, she will push for the betterment of BARMM as she is well-aware of the agreements being part of the team that crafted the BBL.

“Gamay naman ho niya ‘yong peace agreement at saka ‘yong Bangsamoro Organic Law dahil naging miyembro siya no’ng previous Congress na nag-take up no’ng Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Sinarimbo said.

(She understands the peace agreement and the Bangsamoro Organic Law because she was a member of the previous Congress which took up the Bangsamoro Basic Law.)

“So substantial naman ho ‘yong knowledge niya para maging kampante tayo na kaya niyang itulak at ipagpatuloy ‘yong implementation ng peace agreement,” he added.

(So her knowledge on the topic is substantial enough for us to be at peace and know that she can push for, and continue the implementation of the peace  agreement.)

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