00:02Please allow me to greet some of the distinguished guests who are here with us this afternoon.
00:09Please, please be seated.
00:11The Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Philippines, His Excellency Kaan Esener,
00:18Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Anton Lagdameo Jr.,
00:24Mindanao Development Authority, Secretary Leo Magno, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos,
00:31Secretary Sabudin Abdurahim, Presidential Advisor on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity,
00:39Secretary Mel Sarmento, the Wally of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,
00:46Sheikh Muslim Guimadin, Honorable Members of the Bangsamoro Parliament,
00:54you cannot imagine how much joy it brings me to be able to address the members of an elected Bangsamoro
01:02Parliament.
01:07The other local government officials present, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
01:13and gentlemen, good afternoon to everyone.
01:17Assalamualaikum.
01:20Brothers and sisters, after decades of struggle, we have reached this monumental day.
01:32Alhamdulillah, mudilillah, praise be to God.
01:36For decades, generations wondered if this day would ever come.
01:41Today, we welcome the inaugural session of the first elected Bangsamoro Parliament.
01:49This session formally ends the seven-year transition under the Bangsamoro Transition Authority
01:58and marks the beginning of the region's first regular parliamentary government.
02:05Truly, this is a victory for our Bangsamoro brethren.
02:10It is a victory for Mindanao.
02:12It is a victory for the entire Filipino nation.
02:19Assalamualaikum.
02:20Peace be upon you.
02:21I am always humbled by these words.
02:25They remind me that despite our differences, peace is what we can offer to one another.
02:32And few have worked harder for peace than the Bangsamoro people, even in the hardest years.
02:39You chose peace guided by your faith and your trust in God.
02:43Brothers and sisters, the path leading up to this day was long and painful.
02:48We remember the families who suffered and lost loved ones during years of conflict.
02:56We honor them today.
02:57We also honor the leaders from every side of the table who listen to one another.
03:03Because their efforts paved the way for the comprehensive agreement on Bangsamoro,
03:08the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
03:14This day is a milestone in the peace process between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,
03:22marking the transition from armed struggle to peaceful, democratic governance.
03:28To everyone who has contributed to the story of Bangsamoro,
03:32thank you for never giving up on peace.
03:40My friends, let us be optimistic and realistic about what comes next.
03:46Winning the right to govern was a significant achievement.
03:50The successful conduct of the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections was another historic step forward.
03:57Now comes the hard part, the operationalization of an effective parliamentary government
04:05that will sustain the gains of peace and guide the Bangsamoro's development in the years to come.
04:12But this starts today.
04:15Today, the parliament will begin its first session.
04:18Eighty elected members of parliament will begin the work of organizing the first regular Bangsamoro parliament.
04:27The members will elect the chief minister and speaker who will lead the executive branch
04:32and the cabinet alongside two deputy chief ministers.
04:36With this, you will have the foundation of your own government.
04:40I do not want to preempt the formal proceedings of parliament,
04:45but I am glad to see that the majority has already been established
04:51and that the leaders of this parliament have already been agreed upon.
04:58This achievement belongs to all who have been involved,
05:01from the organization of political parties,
05:04to the peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections.
05:07To this day, the first session of the first duly elected Bangsamoro parliament.
05:14I salute you.
05:21Today's session also launches a new phase of parliamentary governance
05:25working within our broader presidential system.
05:29The new coalition must uphold unity, statesmanship and cooperation
05:33to build a more peaceful and progressive barm.
05:37So what does this all mean to the people of barm?
05:40A stable government means enacting laws and delivering programs and services
05:45responsive to the needs of the Bangsamoro people.
05:49It also means using public resources efficiently and transparently
05:53to create economic opportunities and strengthen regional development.
05:59Above all, it means ensuring that the dividends of peace
06:03are felt in the daily lives of every Bangsamoro family.
06:07To the members of this parliament,
06:10never forget the struggle that people have endured.
06:16Serve with humility.
06:18Carry the hopes of many generations
06:20and honor their sacrifices through good governance.
06:24On the part of the national government,
06:27we will continue to expand economic opportunities for Mindanao
06:31as the Bangsamoro enters this new important chapter.
06:36I reaffirm the national government's support for Bangsamoro autonomy
06:40and democratic institutions.
06:43We stand ready to work with the government
06:46formally constituted by this newly elected parliament.
06:53To the people of the Bangsamoro,
06:56the national government stands with you.
06:59Your success is the success of the country.
07:04Hinding-hindi namin kayo pababayaan.
07:07Brothers and sisters,
07:09I come before you as your president
07:11and a man of a different faith.
07:13We may call upon God in different ways,
07:16yet we all ask for the same mercy,
07:20the same peace,
07:21and the same strength to do what is right.
07:25So let us walk forward,
07:27trusting in God and in one another
07:29towards a Bangsamoro
07:31that is peaceful and prosperous.
07:36Inshallah, God willing,
07:38the children of this land
07:39will one day look back at this day
07:42and say this is where a new and better chapter began.
07:47May the Almighty bless the Bangsamoro,
07:50guide the members of this parliament,
07:52and keep our nation united in peace.
07:57As-salamu alaykum.
07:59Maraming salamat po.
08:00Mabuhay ang Bangsamoro.
08:02Mabuhay ang bagong Pilipinas.
08:04Mabuhay ang.
08:05Mabuhay ang.
08:11Mabuhay ang.
