COTABATO CITY – Amid drizzles, officials of the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) today celebrate its 2nd founding anniversary with the side by side hoisting of the Philippine and Bangsamoro flags.
Speaking during the program marred by light to heavy drizzles, chief Minister Murad Ebrahim said the hoisting of BARMM flag with the country’s flag was both “historic and unprecedented.”
He said he can now claim genuine autonomy is achieved but it remained incomplete unless the second level of struggle becomes successful.
“To make this journey successful, we need everyone’s support and cooperation to make sure that the moral governance becomes a practice and not just a tagline,” Minister Ebrahim said during the kickoff activities held at the BARMM regional government center.
Murad said many leaders have claimed moral governance as the center of their leadership but it was only a lip service since they are not really doing it.
“Kung hindi natin ma-reform ang sestima, wala tayong magawa we cannot claim any success if we cannot reform the system,” he said, adding that his moral governance advocacy will benefit everyone in the Bangsamoro homeland, regardless of political, economic and social status.
“Moral governance is founded on honesty, dedication and transparency in public service,” he explained.
“Pagka ang sestima ay pareho din ng dati until we complete our terms, we cannot claim success,” Ebrahim said.
Ebrahim, also leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said “the world is watching us.”
“It’s not only in the PH but the entire world is watching us…People in the same situation with us around the world are watching us because they want to learn from us,” he said as he rallied his people “to work together in building a government founded on moral governance.
Also during the kick-off ceremonies, Minister Murad sounded the gong to signify the formal start of festive events. It was followed by the symbolic relief goods distribution and launching of regional vehicles and equipment (including a speedboat) acquired to address disaster incidents.
BARMM Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo also signed memoranda of agreements on support infra projects with Maguindanao provincial and town officials.
As scheduled, the last day of anniversary celebration will be graced by OPAPP Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Defensec Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, Interior Sec. Eduardo Ano, Budget Sec. Wendel Avisado and DOF Sec. Sonny Dominguez alongside Undersecretary David Dician
