BARMM leaders remember Sen. Rasul as ‘voice of Moro people in Senate’

Santanina Rasul

COTABATO CITY – Leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) paid tribute to the late former Sen. Santanina Rasul as the voice of the Moro people in the Senate.

Rasul died last Nov. 28. She was 94.

READ: Santanina Rasul, nation’s first and only woman Muslim senator; 94

“As the first Muslim woman senator in the Philippines, Senator Nina blazed a trail of service and advocacy for the Bangsamoro people. Her remarkable contributions spanned (the fields of) education, women’s rights and the pursuit of peace and development, ensuring that the voices of the Moro people were heard and represented in the Senate,” said BARMM interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim in a statement on Saturday.

“Her legacy has left an indelible mark on the lives of all Bangsamoro and Filipinos,” Ebrahim added.

Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said Rasul’s “tireless advocacy for education, women’s rights, and marginalized communities will forever be remembered as a source of pride and inspiration for our people.”

Adiong describes the late lawmaker from Sulu as among the country’s illustrious leaders.

House Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said Senator Rasul is best remembered for sponsoring and pushing for the passage of a bill that later became Republic Act No. 7192 or the “Women in Development and Nation-Building Act” that opened the Philippine Military Academy for women.

She was also the primary author of Republic Act No. 6949 that declared every 8th day of March as National Women’s Day.

“Her contribution in education, women’s rights and the Mindanao peace process inspired many Bangsamoro, including this representation,” Hataman said in a statement. “Her legacy will forever remain in the heart of every Filipino,” the Basilan solon added.

Former BARMM interior minister Naguib Sinarimbo said Rasul “represented well the interest of her people and that of women in this country.”

“She leaves a legacy of great work including the legislation that granted permanent status to government workers who have served long and well in government but are unfortunately not civil service eligible,” Sinarimbo noted.

“Thank you Sen. Nina for showing me the world of kindness and practice through the Magbassa Kita Foundation and Senate. You paved the way for public service for shy , fearful young women like us,” said Maranao women leader Samira Gutoc.

Bong Radzak of Young Moro Professionals Network said Rasul paved the way for longtime government workers to acquire civil service eligibility, hence, elevating their employment status.

The measure Rasul shepherded into law gives government employees who reach seven years in government services, either through contract of service, contractual, consultant, casual, coterminous and temporary appointments, to become permanent employees. REPORTS FROM DREMA BRAVO, EDWIN FERNANDEZ, TAHER SOLAIMAN