BARMM's Ebrahim, UBJP back VP Robredo's presidential bid

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Balawag “Murad” Ebrahim and his United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP),  on Saturday endorsed the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.

Ebrahim, also representing the UBJP, an affiliate party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), raised the hand of Robredo during her visit to Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat town, Maguindanao.

"Napakalaking birthday gift po ito para sa akin," said Robredo in her speech after the endorsement during her visit to the MILF on her 57th birthday on Saturday.

(It's a huge birthday gift for me.)

"[Vital] to the success of the extend transition period in the BARMM is the continuity of support of the one to be elected as next president. What I can assure the Bangsamoro people is that a Robredo presidency will be a friend and supporter of the Bangsamoro and a champion of the peace process," she added.

They were joined by Maguindanao 2nd District Representative Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, who runs as governor of the province; Bai Sandra Sema, running for Vice Governor; and Datu Roonie Sinsuat, who seeks re-election for congressman of the 1st District of Maguindanao and Cotabato City.

If elected President, Robredo promised the completion of the implementation of the peace agreement in the Bangsamoro transition period through some of the following plan of actions:

• Hasten the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro, including the political track and the normalization track;
• To fully implement provisions of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and continue the momentum of the inter-governmental relations body in due regard and recognition of genuine autonomy;
• Include the immediate passage of the transitional justice bill;
• Activate the Amnesty Commission and fast-track the appointment of its members to grant amnesty to all qualified MILF members and supporters and those involved in the armed conflict

Robredo said she co-authored the original version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law when she was representative of Camarines Sur's 3rd district. —LBG, GMA News