COTABATO CITY (October 23) — The Bangsamoro Parliament on Tuesday elected senior Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Mohammad S. Yacob as its new Speaker, succeeding the late Pangalian Balindong, who passed away on October 2.
Yacob, who also serves as the region’s senior minister, was unanimously chosen to lead the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority in a special session presided over by Abdulraof Macacua, the interim chief minister.
“I will uphold the sacred principles of moral governance as both a standard and a shield,” Yacob said in his acceptance speech. “I will serve — not to be served; I will lead — not to rule, but to unite.”
He will serve as speaker until the region’s first parliamentary elections, set for a later date.
Macacua reminded lawmakers that the speakership is “a sacred trust — a role that channels the collective will of the Parliament with justice, humility, and wisdom.”
Lawmakers also elected Jose Lorena as deputy speaker and John Anthony Lim as floor leader, replacing Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba. Amer Rakim was chosen as deputy floor leader.
