Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmahtullahi Taala Wa Barakatuh!
On behalf of the Bangsamoro Government and the Bangsamoro people, I would like to congratulate Court of Appeals Justice Japar Dimaampao on his appointment as the newest Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; becoming the 2nd Muslim Justice in the highest court of the land.
Justice Dimaampao who is a native son of Marawi City breaks the 25-year vacuum of Muslim / Moro representation in the Supreme Court.
His appointment, beyond his high level of competence and merits, also signals our country’s shift towards a more inclusive policy in the judiciary. This development boosts the morale of our people especially during the ongoing crisis and as we move forward with the transition phase of the newly-created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
We believe that his place in the Supreme Court will also help the appreciation and full realization of the Shari’ah law as provided in the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Not too long ago, our colleagues in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority sponsored a resolution in support of his appointment; our clear and collective desire to see a competent representation in the high court.
Justice Dimaampao represents the Bangsamoro’s ability to go toe-to-toe with other professionals and in this case, with other legal luminaries in the national level. At a time when there is an unconscious bias against our people, Justice Dimaampao manifests that the Bangsamoro is ready to break the glass ceiling and show the rest of the country what our people can offer.
This appointment is a victory, not just for the Meranao and the Bangsamoro but for Indigenous Peoples communities who have been and deprived of representation in the highest court of the land.
Congratulations, Justice Dimaampao!
