COTABATO CITY — During his official visit at the Bangsamoro Government Center here on Wednesday, March 2, Senator Francis Tolentino committed his continuous support to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Senator Tolentino emphasized that his visit was not just purposely to renew his commitment to the regional government but to also see the progress and development in the region, on behalf of the Senate Committee on Local Government which he chairs.
“I would like to become part of the team that would hurdle the challenges ahead in the next coming years,” Tolentino said.
The senator also assured his support to the parliamentary government citing that “the transition period will be watched and keenly observed.”
“If you have difficulties even after the election, even if we will have a new administration, we will be there to guide you,” Tolentino added.
Meanwhile, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, in his welcome message, identified Tolentino as the “most trusted partner for peace.”
“Allow me to thank Senator Tolentino for fighting for our people. He has worked really hard in fighting for the extension of transition period of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority,” Ebrahim said.
Tolentino was one of the few senators who pushed for the enactment of Republic Act 11593, an act resetting the first regular election in BARMM to 2025.
“His profound leadership was one of the major reasons why the Bangsamoro Organic Law was enacted into law,” Ebrahim further stressed.
During Tolentino’s visit, top brass officials provided him with updates on the region’s COVID-19 response, normalization progress, and other matters that affect the ongoing peace process, including the changing political landscape in the region.
The officials included Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua, Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, Public Works Minister Archt. Eduard Guerra, Officer-in-Charge Health Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas, and Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun. (Abdullah Matucan/BIO)
