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PASAY CITY — “We will always consider Sulu as part of the Bangsamoro. In our struggle and in all the activities of the Bangsamoro – Sulu is always part, major part, of the Bangsamoro,” Chief Minister Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim has emphasized.
Ebrahim, head of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said the plebiscite’s purpose is to gauge public sentiment, “Para makita natin kung ano ang pulso ng mga tao kasi kailangan natin ‘yun.”
Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, author of Senate Bill (No. 2915, explained that the initiative stemmed from the Supreme Court’s decision on September 9, 2024, declaring Sulu’s exclusion from BARMM.
Acknowledging Sulu’s historical role, Zubiri said, “I don’t think we can deny this – Sulu, historically, was the seat of the movement to secede from the Philippines. It started out with the Moro National Liberation front (MNLF). We came up with a peace process with the MNLF, and now with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). We embraced everybody – both the MNLF and MILF.”
Zubiri emphasized the financial benefits of remaining with BARMM. “We want Sulu to still be part of the block grant. Ang laki ng block grant eh, that was about Php80 billion. As a matter of fact, I think Sulu has about maybe 5,000 to 6,000 employees that are paid for by the BARMM government.”
He also stressed that Sulu would struggle for funding outside BARMM. “Sayang talaga ‘yung pondo na matatanggap nila sa block grant,” he said.
“Not a single centavo can reach Sulu,” Zubiri told the local government units of Sulu, whose incumbent top official is Gov. Abdusakur Tan, who was present during the hearing chaired of the Senate Committee on Local Government presided by Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito and Zubiri.
“Pupunta na po kayo dito at, an honest to goodness practice, you’ll have to go now to see the senators, the congressmen, to lobby for scarce resources that we all know that every congressman of every district want it for themselves,” he added.
Ebrahim calls on Sulu residents to give importance to Sulu as BARMM member
“The block grant is there, we set up that block grant for our Muslim brothers and sisters. That is the biggest amount of funds given to a particular region ever. I don’t think any other region gets that amount in terms of funding,” Zubiri further emphasized.
Appealing to Sulu leaders, Zubiri expressed his hope for unity. “I was hoping that we can appeal to our colleagues, particularly our brothers and sisters from Sulu. Sayang – nasasayangan talaga ako,” he said.
Ebrahim, the chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) governing the BARMM through its political wing, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), clarified that regardless of Sulu’s status, BARMM’s budget remains unaffected.
“Kapag hindi na ma-admit ulit ang Sulu sa BARMM, yung block grant namin is the same amount. Kahit nawala ang Sulu, it (block grant) does not depend on area; it is a grant for the Bangsamoro Government. So, ‘yun pa rin ang magiging budget namin,” he explained.
Bangsamoro government continues to provide services and budget allocations for projects in the province. “Even though wala pang final instruction kung ano ang gagawin, we continue ‘yung mga services, we continue also ‘yung mga budgeting for all the projects na andun sa Sulu.”
Ebrahim concluded by calling on the people of Sulu to recognize the value of remaining part of the Bangsamoro region. “We just want our brothers and sisters from Sulu to realize the value of being one Bangsamoro. Gaya ng sabi ko, we always consider you as a main (part) in the BARMM.”
Accompanying Ebrahim during the hearing were other BARMM officials including Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, and some members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament. (Johanie Mae Kusain/BIO)