By FERDINANDH CABRERA
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DAVAO CITY — The formation of a coalition of the newly elected Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was announced BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua, two weeks before the end of the transition period.
The Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP) - led by Macacua - spearheads the coalition, which is composed of various political parties, local government units, ethnolinguistic groups, and former revolutionary organizations.
He made the announcement during a gathering of newly elected parliament members.
Macacua stressed that this step is “not just a statement but a reality” aimed at guiding the region toward a free, effective, and stable Bangsamoro government. He also called on other groups and parties to respect the decision of the members of parliament.
In his message, Macacua called on all leaders, sectors, and institutions in the region to respect the mandate of the elected representatives and the process of choosing the next leadership.
The formal establishment of the so-called "Government of the Day" will revolve around the formal selection and election of the Chief Minister.
October 30 is the end of the transition and schedule for the inaugural session of the elected representatives, in accordance with law.
The election of a new Chief Minister will be held thereafter.
“We will reach out our hands, we will heal divisions, and we will build a government that serves everyone,” Macacua said.
He also thanked the 46 Members of Parliament for their trust, and the national government for its continued respect for BARMM’s autonomy under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Hitting the ground working: 100-Day and 5-Year Roadmap
Alongside the formal announcement, coalition leaders gathered in Davao City to conduct a strategic planning workshop.
The gathering focused on drafting legislative and executive priorities for the first 100 days and the first five years of the regular Parliament.
Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) BARMM Minister Jordan Bayam highlighted that the current setup differs significantly from the previous Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).
“This time, this is not just a BTA, but this is an elected parliament. So the task and the expectations of our people is so high,” Minister Bayam said.
He added that it is crucial to unite not only to form a majority but also to share a single direction and agenda that the entire parliament will pursue.
At the same gathering, Dr. Lampa Pandi, 4th District Representative of Lanao del Sur under the UBJP, shared that his attendance was focused on the parliament's clear and long-term direction for the betterment of the entire region, devoid of partisan politics.
“I am not playing politics here, it's more of the direction of the parliament where we aim to unite for the good of Bangsamoro.” Pandi is joined by MP Tawakal Midting who won in the 1st District of Maguindanao Del Sur.
BGC’s coalition and call for lasting peace and decommissioning
Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal "Bombit" Adiong Jr., who also serves as the Secretary-General of the Bangsamoro Grand Coalition (BGC) in a media interview clarified that their alliance's objective focuses on lasting peace and the continuation of the peace process in BARMM.
According to Adiong, their group personally conveyed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang the request to continue the decommissioning program before the current administration's term ends, in order to finally sign the exit agreement between the MILF and the National Government.
Adiong also expressed that the BGC is open to dialogue with other parties, including the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and the BFP, to fulfill the President's directive to unite the leadership for the welfare of the people.
“Who wouldn’t want peace? We all aspire for that, which is why we have an autonomous region for Muslims. So hopefully, lasting peace will be achieved,” Adiong concluded. — BAP, GMA News