COTABATO CITY (January 10) – Leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Friday congratulated 39 Bangsamoro government officials and employees who passed the 2025 Bar Examinations, calling the milestone part of a gradual but significant expansion of the region’s legal and institutional capacity.
Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua said the Bangsamoro government takes pride in the achievement, noting the discipline required to balance public service with the demands of legal education.
“Your Bangsamoro government is proud of you,” Macacua said in a statement. “As you step into the legal profession, may you uphold the values of justice, integrity, and moral governance in serving the Bangsamoro people and the wider community.”
Building a Bangsamoro legal corps
Before the establishment of BARMM in 2019, Bangsamoro lawyers were relatively few in number and often concentrated in private practice or national agencies outside the region.
The transition to regional autonomy created a pressing need for homegrown legal professionals to staff ministries, parliament, regulatory bodies, and transitional justice mechanisms.
Officials said each new batch of bar passers within the Bangsamoro government strengthens efforts to localize legal expertise—reducing dependence on external counsel and improving the drafting, review, and enforcement of regional laws and policies.
Of the 39 passers this year, four are from the Ministry of Budget and Finance Management, reflecting what officials described as the increasing professionalization of the regional bureaucracy since autonomy took effect.
Symbol of post-conflict transition
BARMM lawmakers said the growing number of Bangsamoro lawyers in public service also reflects the region’s broader shift from conflict governance to rules-based, civilian-led administration, where legal institutions play a central role.
Member of Parliament Abdulbasit Bobby Benito said the achievement demonstrates perseverance and faith amid the region’s ongoing transition.
“Your hard work and dedication have led you to this remarkable achievement,” Benito said. “May you be an inspiration for every Bangsamoro.”
Another lawmaker, MP Bailing Mantawil, said the success of the new lawyers is a collective milestone.
“Your success is not only a personal triumph but also a victory for the Bangsamoro people, who look to you to champion their rights and aspirations,” Mantawil said.
Regional officials said the entry of newly licensed lawyers into government service is expected to strengthen legislation, fiscal oversight, and access to justice—key pillars in consolidating peace and self-governance in the Bangsamoro.
