MAGUINDANAO Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu has lauded President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte for ensuring the swift passage of the proposed law resetting the first regular election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from May 2022 to May 2025.

Mangudadatu, chairman of the House special committee on peace, reconciliation and unity and one of the principal sponsors of the measure, welcomed the approval of Senate Bill (SB) 2214 and House Bill (HB) 10121.

He also thanked his fellow legislators, namely Reps. Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer, Ansaruddin Abdul Malik A. Adiong, and Datu Roonie Q. Sinsuat, Sr. who, along with him, sponsored HB 10121 as well as those who co-authored the said bill.

According to Mangudadatu, the implementation of the peace agreements was on track.

But due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Mangudadatu said the work of effecting the agreements as part of the peace process was forced to slow down almost to a halt since March 2020 or barely 14 months since the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Act.

“Three years is already too short a time for any government to fully establish its roots, let alone be impaired COVID-19. We all know what the months of lockdown did to the operation not only of private establishments, but even in government offices. But still, even the independent Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) chaired by Heino Marius have noted overall positive development in the political track of the peace process despite BARMM BTA being confronted by the pandemic,” Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu also stressed that the postponement of the elections is not new to the people in Muslim Mindanao.

He said that there are 12 laws that have been passed by the Congress of the Philippines since 1989 that postponed supposedly scheduled elections in the area pre-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and during the time of the now defunct ARMM.

House Assistant Majority Leader and Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan said she voted in favor of resetting the BARMM election with a strong call on its officials of the autonomous government to deliver its promised inclusive and sustainable economic development for the people and in the region.

Sangcopan said she supported the passage on third and final reading last Wednesday of HB 10121, which amends the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) by resetting the scheduled BARMM poll since this is the best move for the Bangsamoro people in the meantime.

“Again, Anak Mindanao (AMIN) party-list, through this representation, votes yes to the draft substitute bill for House Bill number 10121 with strong advisement that the Regional Government will be as inclusive and encompassing as well as compassionate and well-meaning for the people of BARMM,” Sangcopan said after casting her vote in favor of BARMM postponement.

“I am giving my vote out of more than a simple desire to give the Bangsamoro Government the chance to deliver on their promises to the people. Mainly, I am casting my vote so that all people in the Bangsamoro region will receive the support and help they need, especially in these trying times. Kailangan ng mga mamayan ng BARMM ang kagyat nating pagtulong,” Sangcopan said.

“Though I still feel trepidation, I cannot accept that my apprehensions will cause even a minute of delay in the delivery of vital services to our people.

As strong as my personal conviction is on this matter, I raise all these to Allah and ask Him to bless the future of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. I pray to Allah, that He give our leaders the wisdom and vision that will wield the will of the people to better the future of our children, their children’s children, and the Bangsamoro generations that our minds can foresee,” Sangcopan pointed out.

On Thursday, Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said he voted “yes” to approve the bill, but not without reservations.

“The Bangsamoro Dream is bigger than my misgivings. The Bangsamoro Dream is bigger than any individual agenda – at umaasa tayo na lahat ng mga kasama natin ay kakapit din sa parehong paninindigan. Higit ang Bangsamoro sa sino man sa atin. Bangsamoro, higit sa sarili,” Hataman said.