Leadership change in BARMM boosts peace

THE change of leadership in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) adheres to the letter and spirit of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the Bangsamoro Organic Laws (BOL), according to Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr.

Galvez issued the statement after former BARMM Interim Chief Minister (ICM) Ahod Ebrahim resigned last March 3 to focus on the region's first parliamentary elections on Oct. 13.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. replaced Ebrahim with longtime Moro leader Abdulraof Macacua.

On Saturday, the new members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) took their oath before Macacua.

The 80-member BTA remains Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)-led, in keeping with the Bangsamoro peace agreement.

Following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2019, which serves as the legal foundation of the CAB, the current members of the BTA have all been presidential appointees.

The BTA's term, originally set for three years, has been extended because the parliamentary elections have been reset twice.

Galvez said both the Marcos administration and the MILF remain committed to the signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

The 11th anniversary of the historic pact will be commemorated on March 27.

"Let us continue to stand united as one Bangsamoro, upholding the spirit of peace and progress. Through unity, we strengthen our foundation for a brighter future — one where harmony, development, and the aspirations of our people are realized. Together, with faith, resilience, and determination, we will build a peaceful and prosperous Bangsamoro for generations to come under the banner of Bagong Pilipinas," Galvez said.