MILF still holds sway over BARMM governance

COTABATO City -- The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remains firmly under the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the speaker of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority parliament said, rejecting recent online claims of a national government takeover.

BTA Speaker Mohammad Yacob clarified that rumors suggesting the central government had seized control of the regional administration are "baseless and misleading." He stressed that the MILF continues to hold the majority of leadership positions in both the Bangsamoro Government and the BTA Parliament.

The leadership structure is consistent with the core principles of the region's creation and the provisions of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The law explicitly provides that the MILF shall lead the interim Bangsamoro government throughout the transition period, until the first regular regional elections are held.

The arrangement was a key element of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the peace accord that formally ended decades of conflict and mandated the MILF to steer the new autonomous region.

Yacob stressed that the national government fully supports the existing arrangement, upholding the peace process and the region's autonomy. He urged the public to avoid misinformation that could undermine the transition's integrity.

To recall, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has previously reiterated his administration’s commitment to peace and development in the Bangsamoro.

“A stronger BARMM means a stronger Mindanao. A stronger Mindanao means a stronger Philippines, bringing us closer to achieving our agendas,” the President said.

Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. also affirmed the central government’s stance, stressing the continued partnership with the region.

“The national government remains fully supportive of the region’s transition efforts, and we look forward to deeper collaboration to uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos in the Bangsamoro,” Lagdameo said.

The BTA serves as the interim government of the BARMM, with the MILF at the helm until the region holds its first regular elections.