Escudero calls first elected Bangsamoro Parliament a milestone for peace

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has praised the convening of the first elected Bangsamoro Parliament, calling it a historic step in the country's peace-building efforts, according to Mindanao Times.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Oct. 31, Escudero said the parliament's inaugural session, held the day before, showed how far the country has come in turning decades of conflict into opportunities for peace, stability and self-governance in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He said the development bodes well for greater economic opportunity and growth in the region.

Escudero congratulated Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and the parliament's members. He called on them to work together in advancing the interests and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

The senator described the region's first elected parliamentary government as the start of a new chapter in Bangsamoro self-rule. He noted that it follows years of institution-building under the peace process between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"This is a victory not only for the Bangsamoro people but for the entire country," Escudero said, adding that peace pursued through dialogue, patience and cooperation can produce stronger institutions and more empowered communities.

He said he was confident the new parliament would build on the gains of the transition period to spur economic growth, improve public services and widen opportunities for Bangsamoro communities.

Escudero said the real test of the democratic transition lies in its effect on ordinary households. "The true success of this democratic transition will be measured by how it improves the daily lives of ordinary Bangsamoro families," he said.