Philippine Muslim Today

University of the Philippines and DND Secretary Lorenzana

WHAT IS ACADEMIC FREEDOM? (Part II)

Mehol K. Sadain | A7

Homobono A. Adaza | A8

“BTA” Midterm review essential to moral governance

Lanao Del Sur now becoming halal tourism destination

Bayan G. Balt | A8

Abdul Hannan M. Tago | A9

Muslim today PHILIPPINE

Save the Earth

The Muslim National Digital Newspaper | Bearer of Glad Tidings.

Vol. I, No. 33 | January 29-February 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442) | 2 Sections | 16 Pages

TO ADVERTISE TEXT

09152184388 09778430218

Muslims warned of ‘pork’ marked ‘halal’ sold in supermarts

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

EDITORIAL

T

he Muslim consumers in Metro Manila and elsewhere in the country are warned in buying meat products at supermarkets to properly read first the ingredients they are buying if it is really halal food or not.

Gerry Salapuddin, administrator and CEO of Davaobased Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA). warned Muslim consumers through his social media account to beware of “Pork Leg” inside a plastic package labeled as „Halal‟ sold in Manila supermarkets.

"EENIE MEANIE MINEY MO," our own vaccine show

W

hile other countries are now in the process of vaccinating their citizens against Covid-19, the Philippines is still playing "eenie meanie miney mo" regarding which vaccine to buy for its citizens. While the big cities in the country have taken the initiative in choosing (and covering the cost) of vaccinating its most vulnerable sectors, the national government is still to show some urgency in the immediate nature of the situation, considering that it had borrowed copious amounts ostensibly to purchase the vaccines.

(Full Story on Page A6)

Gerry Salapuddin.

A3 BANGSAMORO

BARMM exec rejects mid-term review call, tags it „alibi‟ to „kill‟ transition extension stride

A11 MUSLIM WORLD

Full Story on Page A2

B1 TOURISM

MWL reveals new logo in line with its mission

Of Mosques and Cultural Centers in Tawi-Tawi

By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D

The Muslim World League (MWL) on Monday revealed its new logo during a meeting chaired by the organization‟s secretarygeneral, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim AlIssa. The MWL is an international nongovernmental Islamic organization based in Makkah.

The Seikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque in Bohe Indanan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, said to be the first mosque built in the Philippines.

By ALI G. MACABALANG

The spokesman of the interim Bangsamoro government has bluntly rejected a move by Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman for a midterm-review on the new autonomous entity‟s performance, berating it as a subtle plot to “derail” the snowballing Congressional stride to postpone the 2022 election of regional parliament members.

A2 1st batch of civilian volunteers finish Basic Citizen Military Training in Sulu

The Bangsamoro

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

Muslims warned of ‘pork’ marked ‘halal’ sold in supermarts

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

E

SCOLTA, Binondo, Manila: The Muslim consumers in Metro Manila and elsewhere in the country are warned in buying meat products at supermarkets to properly read first the ingredients they are buying if it is really halal food or not.

GUEST OF HONOR: Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., WestMinCom commander based in Zamboanga City delivers his speech before the 195 graduates of the Basic Citizen Military Training (BCMT) conducted by the AFP in Patikul, Sulu. (WestMinCom Photo)

C

AMP NAVARRO, Calarian, Zamboanga City: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had made history with the graduation of 195 civilian volunteers as the first-ever to graduate with Basic Citizen Military Training (BCMT) held at the so-called ground zero in Barangay Taglibi in Patikul, Sulu on Saturday.

BCMT is an entry-level training course undertaken by Filipino citizens who intend to enlist in the reserve force of the AFP. The duties and responsibilities of the reservists are to assist in disaster relief and rescue operations, socio-economic development, and operations of critical utilities of affiliated reserve units; and as a base expansion of regular force in the event of war, rebellion, or natural emergencies.

A total of 195 civilian volunteers belonging to Class 01-2020 underwent the 45 days basic military training course conducted by the Philippine Army. The graduates will automatically be part of the proposed first Sulu Ready Reserve Battalion.

The commencement exercise was graced by no less than the Commander of the Western Mindanao Command, Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. In his message, Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. stated that this is a great move towards peace and progress in the province of Sulu. ―I am elated with the hard work and dedication during the training. These exemplify your sincere commitment to serve and protect the people and our flag,‖ said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. Vinluan acknowledged the training committee and other institutions who extended their support. ―Thank you for strengthening our capability to protect our country not only against the invaders and terrorists but also during the onslaught of natural and man-made calamities,‖ he said.

Also present during the activity were Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, Army Reserve Command Chief Maj. Gen. Peale Jon Bondoc, Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, other military officers, and other stakeholders.

Maj. Gen. Bondoc expressed his gratitude to the local chief executives of Sulu for the support and trust that led to the success of the BCMT in Sulu.

He also expressed his admiration to the graduates for their determination to finish the training and officially become members of the reserve force.

Meanwhile, both Mayor Hayudini and Governor Tan extended their gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for persistently working with them for peace and prosperity in Sulu.

They also pledged to continuously support the armed forces in all their endeavors particularly in addressing the security concerns of the province.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Gerry Salapuddin, administrator and CEO of Davao-based Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA). warned Muslim consumers through his social media account saying to beware of ―Pork Leg‖ inside a plastic package labeled as Halal sold in Manila supermarkets.

The Philippine Muslim Today Metro Manila News Bureau tried to dig deeper and found out that this Pork Leg is an imported product packed by B.W. Foods Limited, from the Meat Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria.

Salapuddin also said unscrupulous businessmen are using ―#HALAL‖ logo because they can just be illegally printed on the cover of a product.

Yusoph Mando Normally the halal products in the Philippines are being certified as halal by the duly authorized Halal Certifying Body, the Islamic Da‘wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP), a non-profit organization based in Escolta, Binondo, Manila organized in 1982 by members of the Converts to Islam Society of the Philippines (CONVISLAM). It is headed by its president lawyer Abdul Rahman R. T. Linzag, a convert from Davao.

Aleem Said Ahmad Basher, chairman of the Imam Council of the Philippines and alumnus of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt has clearly distinguished the words halal and haram.

Aleem Basher said halal and haram are the usual terms used in the Holy Qur‘an to designate the categories of halal as lawful or allowed as against haram which means unlawful or forbidden to be used or consumed by Muslims.

The SPDA administrator also advised the Muslim consumers to always read the ingredients and distinguish the product.

He urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as well as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism (MTIT) headed

by Minister Abu Amri Taddik in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the LGU in each locality to inspect the products in the supermarket whether they are faithfully doing business according to law.

The National Consumers Act mandates all manufacturers and producers to strictly and honestly label their products correctly so the consumers can make the right choice.

As this developed, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), as the primary government agency responsible to promote and develop the Philippine Halal Industry and accredit halal-certifying entities/bodies for the utmost benefit of Muslim Filipinos and in part-

nership with appropriate agencies, individuals and institutions here and abroad has been again at the receiving end of a public backlash in the social media over an alleged pork product being sold in the market with halal certification/ logo.

Commissioner Yusoph Mando said their NCMF- Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs, Halal Development, Promotion and Accreditation Unit is more preoccupied with policing halal-certifiers than in reassuring the public after news reports emerged that a certain pork product is being certified as Halal meat including potentially diseased Carabao and horse meat, sold as halal beef in the local market.

Mando admitted that the public outcry came after a post in FB page calling the attention of concerned agencies, including the NCMF on the said issue.

NCMF Commission-

er Mando told this Bureau Chief that he is giving a stern warning that those responsible in doing this are risking for the invalidation of their accreditation to grant halal certificate and he promised to bring this issue to the Commission En Banc and to the concerned NCMF Bureau. ―The said certifiers apparently did not abide by the rules laid out by the Commission on halal certification process,‖Commissioner Mando said. ―The halal issue in multiracial Philippines is a sensitive matter with the potential to cause public tensions,‖ he stressed. ―The organizations responsible for certifying products as halal, or permissible for use by Muslims, should be very careful for it has often found itself at the center of controversies over the certification process in the past,‖ continued Commissioner Mando. JIJ

For Quality Journalism, Read Philippine Muslim Today

Across BARMM “Peace gained in Mindanao thru BARMM must be preserved” — Salapuddin

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

A3

BARMM exec rejects mid-term review call, tags it ‘alibi’ to ‘kill’ transition extension stride

By ALI G. MACABALANG

C

OTABATO CITY: The spokesman of the interim Bangsamoro government has bluntly rejected a move by Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman for a midterm-review on the new autonomous entity‟s performance, berating it as a subtle plot to “derail” the snowballing Congressional stride to postpone the 2022 election of regional parliament members.

Abdulghani A. “Gerry” Salapuddin DAVAO CITY: The elusive peace gained in Mindanao, by virtue of the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), must be preserved. It is the legacy of the Duterte administration to Mindanao in particular and the country in general,” Abdulghani A. “Gerry” Salapuddin said.

Salapuddin who is the Administrator & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) based here in this city, emphasized that considering BARMM is a parliamentary system of government, in contrast to the presidential system of the national government, the autonomous region must be given sufficient time to complete the successful installation of its political structure and system of governance.

He added this can only be possible if the 7 enabling laws or Codes can all be enacted into law. So far, only the Administrative Code was enacted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), he added.

According to Salapuddin, the six other codes like the Civil Service Code, Election Code, Local Government Code, Revenue Code, Indigenous and Customary Code and Trade and Investment Code have yet to be enacted into law to make the BARMM parliamentary system fully functional and operational.

Salapuddin who was a former member of Congress representing the Lone District of Basilan and became also the House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao, and happened to be the principal author of R.A. 9054: The Amended Organic Act of the ARMM, stressed in behalf of the SPDA, “I would like to appeal to both Chambers of Congress to pass the amendatory law to extend the term of the transition period to at least 6 years, as provided for in the Dimaporo Bill.”

Finally, Salapuddin who is also a “mujahideen” and a Senior Leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also said “I would like to appeal to the leadership of the BARMM as headed by Chief Minister Ahod “Al Hajj Murad” Ebrahim to equitably share the resources and positions in the autonomous region, with special attention to the BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi) Islands.

The SPDA administrator & CEO also further emphasized that unity and solidarity can only be attained if there is truly #INCLUSIVITY as provided in R.A. 11054.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Regional spokesman and Local Governor Naguib G. Sinarimbo posted in Facebook on Wednesday, Jan. 27 an 8-point argument, part of which rebuked the review proposal as ―a subtle strategy to delay the enactment and ultimately kill the proposed amendatory bill to extend the period of transition in the Bangsamoro.‖ Sinarimbo, a lawyer, said the call for midterm review was ―resorted to as a convenient excuse to silently oppose and ultimately derail the transition extension by those who do not wish to be openly seen by the Bangsamoro people as opposed to the extension of the transition period. ― His 8-point argument did not mention any name but it followed up his rebuttal published by the Inquirer.net on Jan. 25 in response to the story of the same media entity on Jan. 22 about Hataman‘s call for midterm review Hataman had earlier urged the House of Representatives‘ leadership to exercise its power of congressional oversight and make a midterm review of the implementation of R.A. 11054 and the 2014 peace agreement that brought about the creation of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019.

Under R.A. 11054, known as Bangmoro Organic Law (BOL), BARMM replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which Hataman ruled as office-incharge and later as regional governor for more than 10 years.

In the article written

by Inquirer.net reporter Daphne Galvez, Rep. Hataman said he would file on Monday, Jan. 25, a resolution calling for a midterm review, amid a surge of media reports

Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, left, and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman. (File) concerning the existence of five House bills – four seeking to postpone the 2022 regional poll and one extending the BARMM interim reign to 2028. ―Hindi ako (I am not) against the extension.

But I feel it is not wise to blindly decide to extend without looking at the very reasons for the call of extension and present concrete plans at addressing them. Kung wala tayong malinaw na roadmap, paano natin assess kung ano ang kulang at ano ang kailangan,‖ Galvez quoted Hataman as explaining.

In Galvez‘s Jan. 25 story, Sinarimbo argued that Congress has exercised oversight powers of review on laws only after five to 10 years of enactment, on average. ―You do not conduct a review in less than two years,‖ Sinarimbo pointed out.

He noted that Republic Act 6734, the first charter of the defunct ARMM, was passed in 1988, but was reviewed only after 12 years in 2000 for the passage of its amendments in R.A. 9054 in 2001.

Following is Sinarimbo‘s 8-point argument as posted in Facebook on Wednesday, Jan. 27: 1. The move is a subtle strategy to delay the enactment and ultimately kill the proposed amendatory bill to extend the period of transition in the Bangsamoro.

The Congress barely has 30 session days before it goes on a

break sometime in May of this year. When it resumes session in July it will already be pre occupied with the budget preparation for 2022 and which is an election year and this the budget is an election budget for most of the members of the Congress. The filing of Certificate of Candidacy for the May 2022 elections is this October.

2. The midterm review being proposed to be undertaken by Congress at this very early stage of the transition, barely over a year only, is resorted to as a convenient excuse to silently oppose and ultimately derail the extension of the transition by those who do not wish to be openly seen by the Bangsamoro people as opposed to the extension of the transition period. The move is designed to achieve two things. First, provide a convenient excuse for every single oppositor of the extension of the period of transition now being deliberated in Congress that we cannot as yet decide on the issue of extending the transition period as there is still an ongoing mid-term review by Congress. Second, divert the ongoing hearings in Congress on the extension and refocus it on the midterm review and ultimately consume the remaining session days of Congress before it adjourns in June without passing the amendatory law to extend the period of transition.

3. As explained by

Secretary Dominguez during the November 23 meeting between the President and Chief Minister Ebrahim in Davao, we have a very tight schedule and we must stick to the timeline if we hope to pass the amendatory law extending the period of transition in the Bangsamoro.

4. A review by Congress of the Organic Law or of the progress in the implementation of the Organic Law and of the Comprehensive Agreement in the Bangsamoro is both too early and out of tune when the parties, the MILF and the GPH have agreed that there has been delay in the implementation of both the law and the peace agreement.

5. The peace agreement or CAB has established clearly the mechanisms for reviewing the progress of the implementation and these are the Peace Panels, The Joint Normalization Committee, and the Third Party Monitoring Team. These mechanisms were bilaterally agreed during the negotiations.

6. The Peace Panels have agreed that the implementation both of the organic law provisions and the peace agreement have been delayed and there is a need to extend the period of transition. The TPMT while it observed that the peace process is generally on track, it already noted some delays in the implementation.

BARMM | B3

A4

Across Mindanao

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

MSU-GSC declares leftists, extremists ‘persona non-grata’

Coronavirus infects all 25 Maguindanao town police elements

By ALI G. MACABALANG

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY: The Mindanao State University (MSU) system, particularly its satellite campus here has declared as “persona non-grata” all groups and individuals associated with communist and extremist ideologies in a show of bold support to the national government s anti-terrorism campaign.

MSU-General Santos City (GSC) Chancellor Dr. Anshari P. Ali issued the declaration on Thursday as he berated his campus‘ inclusion in a list derived from alleged documents from or revelation of surrendered or captured members of the CPP/NPA/ NDF tagging 39 public and private universities as breeding grounds for leftist movement.

The list includes University of the Philippines -Diliman, UP-Manila, UP -Visayas, UP-Cebu, UPBaguio, UP-Tacloban, University of Sto. Tomas, Far Eastern University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of the East, Ateneo de Manila, University of Makati, University of Caloocan City, Bulacan State University, Arellano University, Holy Trinity University, West Visayas State University, Central Philippine University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, MSU-Iligan, MSUGenSan, Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, Cavite State University, Batangas State University, Holy Angel University, Tarlac State University, Bukidnon State University, Benguet State University, Ifugao State University, University of Eastern Phil., University of Southeaster Phil., Ateneo de Davao, Ateneo de Naga, Xavier University, Aklan State University, Bicol University, and St. Thomas Aquinas University.

The list was earlier released by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC), with a statement from Task Force Spokesperson Undersecretary Lorraine

Marie Badoy.

The release of the list preceded assessment visits by security forces in some of the identified campuses, sparking a barrage of indignations rallies by mostly UP students.

While berating as ―baseless‖ the inclusion of his campus in the list, Chancellor Ali said they discouraged indignation rallies especially in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic. ―Our declaration of violent ideology-prone people as ‗persona nongrata‘ should suffice as our show of support to the national government campaign,‖ Dr. Ali, an Alim (Islamic scholar), said in a virtual interview Thursday.

In a statement, Ali said: ―MSU was established for the tri-people of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan (MinSuPala) as a social laboratory for peace. It is the brain child of the late Sen. Ahmad Domocao Alonto as one of the government‘s responses to the so-called ‗Mindanao Problem‘. It is the country‘s lone state university with exceptional mandate of integrating the cultural communities in Mindanao into the nation‘s socio-cultural, economic and political mainstream.‖ ―Besides, MSU has been tasked to provide opportunities for quality relevant education and training manpower with skills and technical know-how for the economic development of the MinSuPala (Mindanao-SuluPalawan) region, not for our students to become social liabilities,‖ he said.

He added: ―While its (MSU-CSC) doors are wide open to children of Muslim, Christian and

C

OTABATO CITY: Tension escalated in South Upi, Maguindanao when armed stormed with bullets the vehicle of an elected town councilor this morning, Jan. 8, and aggravated residents‟ fear spawned by an earlier ambush of the mayor and burning of 13 houses in same municipality.

MSU-GSC Chancellor Anshari Ali. (File) Lumad parents possibly exposed to contrasting ideologies, we see to it that we detach our students as well mentors from violent inclination and persuade them towards peaceful and productive cohesion for the better.‖ Ali cited some events disproving possibility of MSU-GSC campus becoming a breeding ground for communism or terrorism – the classification of the campus as a ―National Peace Center‖ with packages of national appropriations worth some P2billion through Senators Manny Pacquiao and Sonny Angara, and as Region XII‘s ―health training center‖ rallied

by Rep. Shirlyn BañasNograles and local elected officials with over P1-billion budget so far.

Dr. Ali‘s administration has been continuously receiving citations in the field of academe and peace networking from foreign and local institutions, including so far the United Nations‘ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and universities in Southeast Asia. ―Surely, our partner foreign, national and local institutions would

have not made any huge investments and prominent acknowledgments into and of our campus if it has seven a slight sign of becoming a front for violence,‖ he stressed.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., Senator Pacquiao, Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Manny Pinol and other national dignitaries had visited MSU-GSC campus in the cohesive strides for harnessing the campus as ―national peace university‖ and a partner in varied researches, university staff workers said in corroboration. ―Since 2019, we have been gradually achieving initial successes in promoting quality education and producing top notch alumni in national board exams. We cannot afford to allow contrasting ideologies to erode the gains we have painstakingly achieved,‖ Dr. Ali said.As part of preventing entry of unwelcomed individuals into the campus, Ali said his office is on the verge of acquiring Giant drones to serve 24/7 for surveillance of all movements in their academic compound here. AGM

Coronavirus disease has reportedly infected all 25 members of the police force in Pagalungan town, Maguindanao, prompting authorities to quarantine them and deploy substitute cops for the moment.

In an initial report heralded initially by scribe John Felix Unson, Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), was quoted as placing the suspected patients under “mandatory quarantine” in coordination with regional health officials.

“We immediately acted on that concern,” Gen. Rodriguez reportedly said Thursday, referring to the phenomenal viral infection among the entire police force of Pagalungan town.

A member of the 25-member town police force reportedly reported for duty after attending the fiesta celebration of nearby Midsayap town, North Cotabato.

Pagalungan is located next to Momtawal, another Maguindanao town on the border of North Cotabato.

The office of Gen. Rodriguez replaced the suspected patients with an interim contingent to man the virus-emptied town police station, it was learned.

It was not immediately known where the affected cops have been quarantined. But medical workers under the office of Bangsamoro Health OIC-Minister Amirel Usman have established coordination with local health workers in tending the patients with appropriate treatment and food supplies.

Regional police and health officials have also coordinated with the provincial authorities of North Cotabato to exert efforts to check on people who attended the Midsayap fiesta and prevent further spread of inspection.

ALI G. MACABALANG

Across Mindanao

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

A5

Mangudadatu lauds Pimentel’s counterpart Stormy stride for „moral governance‟ bill on BARMM extension quest

By ALI G. MACABALANG

C

OTABATO CITY: Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu has lauded Senator Koko Pimentel for filing a counterpart bill on the Bangsamoro governance‟s quest for transition extension, expressing hope for more proponents or supporters in the Higher Chamber of Congress. ―To Senator Pimentel, we convey our utmost thanks.

We in the Bangsamoro continuously trust that more senators will help us realize our dream for stable, responsive and upright autonomous governance to shape lasting peace and equitable development in our region,‖ Rep. Mangudadatu said in state in Pilipino conveyed to the Philippine Muslim Today by his legislative staff.

Mangudadatu, a former three-term governor of Maguindanao, also thanked key leaders in the Muslim, Christian and Lumad sectors like Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, Governors Bombit Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato as well as organized groups in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi for issuing separate statements of support for a postponement in the 2022 election for first regular members of the Bangsamoro parliament. ―Supportive manifestations are inspiring us in the House of Representatives to do our part in helping build an entity that can effectively bring BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) to greater heights,‖ he added.

He cited the need for the BARMM constituents to ―rise above‖ the vestiges of Mindanao conflict that had left 120,000 people killed, multitude of families displaced and huge development potentials wasted.

Mangudadatu introduced on Dec. 1, 2020 House Bill 8117, one of four measures in the lower Congress seeking to reset the 2022 election for regular BARMM Parliament members and extend the interim legislature ‗s office term to 2025. A fifth bill i has also been filed in the House, but this proposes the conduct of the 2022 polls as scheduled, with a prayer for BARMM transitional operation until 2028.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod ―Hadji Murad‖ Ebrahim has welcomed and described as ―acceptable‖ the four election-resetting bills, the three being authored by Deputy Speakers Loren Legarda and Isidro Ungab and Majority Floor Leader Martin

Punchline ALI G. MACABALANG

E

A file photo of Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu in a past Palace press briefing.

Romualdez.

The three concerned House committees on Muslim Affairs, Electoral Reforms, and Peace, Unity and Reconciliation started on Jan 11 their series of joint hearings on the five bills in prelude to harmonizing them into an omnibus bill for deliberation in plenary sessions, according to Mangudadatu.

The joint hearing dubbed as ―Focused Group Discussion‖ was attended by concerned lawmakers, key officials from BARMM, national line agencies like the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, and other stakeholders.

In his speech at the FGD in Makati City, Legislative Staff Beverly Ballitoc said, Mangudadatu prodded the public on the ―sacrifices‖ of revolutionary groups like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in fighting for self-determination, respectable identity and rights among Bangsamoro people for years or decades.

The armed conflict, which initially subsided with the MNLF‗s signing of 1996 final peace accord with the government, has substantially fizzled out after the MILF forged the Comprehensive on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with Malacañang in 2014. The CAB has been legally trans-

lated by R.A. 11054 (BARMM charter) enacted in July 2018.

After the regional charter‘s ratification in the Jan. 21, 2019 plebiscite, President Duterte inaugurated the BARMM interim governance on March 29 of the same year following his appointment of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) members.

But the BTA initial operations to enact fundamental laws and build mechanisms implementing the Normalization and Political Tracks under R.A. 11054 and the CAB, have been stunted by the advent of the global COVID19 pandemic that diverted the attention of all government instrumentalities to containing the viral disease, Mangudadatu said.

OPAPP Secretary Carlos Galvez Jr., concurrent chief implementer of COVID-19 protocols, has repeatedly said that President Duterte had agreed with the BTA quest for extension amid the adverse effects of the pandemic on initial undertakings of the interim regional governance.

Galvez also cited the assessment reports of nongovernment groups like the Mindanao People‘s Caucus and the Third Party Monitoring Body that the 2019-2022 transition is ―insufficient‖ for the BTA to fulfill its mandates. AGM

ach time Bangsamoro Chief Minister “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim or his cabinet members uttered words about their stride for “moral governance” as a guiding principle in building genuine bureaucracy that right-minded Muslim, Christian and Lumad people dreamed for decades in their communities in the autonomous region, critics and skeptics – for reasons likely laced with contrasting interests – always squawked in reactions.

Dissenters seemingly disregard a popular Persian saying that ―he who does not hope to win (a struggle) has already lost.‖ Pessimism erodes every good chance for betterment in any social setting. Yet, some still live by it, criticizing all new ideas in a fashion shaping an issue without giving alternative solutions.

Criticism is ideal in public governance, especially when done with proposed solutions. not for mere grandstanding.

When President Duterte inaugurated the operations of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim governance on March 29, 2019, we may have noticed some gray areas, such as in the choice of appointees. But I told myself and announced in Facebook posts that I would observe a ―honeymoon‖ for two to three years before making ―productive‖ critical stories.

I said ―productive‖ criticisms because in my eight-year stint in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and 26-year in the Manila Bulletin, many of my critical stories had either led to the indictment and conviction or removal from office of key public officials involved in irregularities I exposed. Others led to dismissal (or at least reassignment) of erring personalities.

The MILF-led interim government cannot be expected to deliver what is expected or mandated of it in just over a year of infancy, which unfortunately has been stunted by Coronavirus pandemic adversities as willed by God (Qadrullah).

BARMM‘s reign actually began in July 2019 with its initial bureaucracy until COVID-19 came in late February 2020.

The infant entity cannot produce major achievements in eight months especially amid setbacks ranging from sporadic human-induced ills (profuse political bickering, clannish feuds and corruption to frequent flooding and COVID-19.

Because of government-sanctioned diversion of attention to fighting COVID adversities, parliament members have faced stringent schedules in legislating fundamental laws, even as many if not all of them engaged in dispersing relief services and goods to their respective constituents long suffering from perceived state neglect. All BARMM ministries and bureaus have equally given focal attention to relieving constituents.

But BARMM‘s quality and quantity of relief goods and health/medical assistance are far better than those given in communities elsewhere. I reside in Kidapawan City and have known the difference. Our LGUs provide maximum or three to five kilos of less quality rice and canned sardines of corresponding amount. BARMM provides an average of 12 kilos of high quality rice with equal quantities of canned goods alongside bath soaps.

I know this fact because upon my request, the Chief Minister‘s Office through the MILG‘s READI program has given my village (not part of BARMM) relief goods twice amid COVID-19 and once after earthquakes hit North Cotabato and Davao Sur in 2019. READI relief goods for earthquakeaffected residents even included water containers (amid interrupted water supply) and tarpaulin for temporary shelters.

Our LGUs did not give such extra stuff.

Nepotism Nepotism is one pervasive ill in governance. And in pursuit of its ―moral governance‖ drive, the BARMM leadership has removed two cabinet members so far for employing immediate kin. It did not herald the sanction so as not to embarrass the two personalities in public. But I know basic facts about the punitive sanction. The regional hierarchy admitted suffering pains in removing original MILF supporters as part of ibadah (faithful act) in ideal worldly life.

MACABALANG | A12

A6

Editorial

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

DATU YUSOPH B. MAMA Chairman, Board of Trustees DEAN MASIDING NOOR YAHYA President/CEO JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Vice President for Internal Affairs ALI G. MACABALANG Vice President for External Affairs ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Treasurer MACOD D. RASCAL Secretary CASAN C. CANA Auditor

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief and Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor Bureau Chief for National Capital Region ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor Bureau Chief for Bangsamoro & Central Mindanao Regions ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Bureau Chief for Northern Mindanao Region

editorial

JOHNNY R. LEE Bureau Chief for Western Mindanao Region PHIL MUSLIM Layout Artist FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Advertising Sales Director for NCR

"eenie meanie miney mo," our own vaccine show

NUR-ALI A. MACABALANG Correspondent COLUMNISTS | WRITERS: ATTY. HOMOBONO A. ADAZA ATTY. BAYAN G. BALT BENJ BANGAHAN, M.D., FPCP, FPCCP ATTY. JUAN PONCE ENRILE JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D ATTY. NASSER A. MAROHOMSALIC FILEMON G. ROMERO, Ph.D ATTY. MEHOL K. SADAIN DR. ABDUL HANNAN M. TAGO DISCLAIMER: Opinion of the writer expressed herein is not necessarily the opinion of Philippine Muslim Today nor of its management.

TEMPORARY BUSINESS OFFICE:

NCR SATELLITE OFFICE:

Cor. Mercury & Pluto Streets, Rabago Subd., Villa Verde, Iligan City, 9200 Phone: 09152184388 | +63 2283454 Email: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com Https://philmuslim.today

9052 Viscarra Compound, Molino 3, Bacoor City 4102 Cavite Province PHONE: +639778430218 | +639353138549 Email: munir1845media@gmail.com

Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

W

hile other countries are now in the process of vaccinating their citizens against Covid-19, the Philippines is still playing "eenie meanie miney mo" regarding which vaccine to buy for its citizens. While the big cities in the country have taken the initiative in choosing (and covering the cost) of vaccinating its most vulnerable sectors, the national government is still to show some urgency in the immediate nature of the situation, considering that it had borrowed copious amounts ostensibly to purchase the vaccines.

The BARMM, which includes some of the poorest provinces in the country, like the rest of the provinces who have yet to act regarding this mass vaccination, can stand to lose a great deal in the vaccination race if the national government will not step in or the region itself does not find ways to vaccinate its most vulnerable populations. Will it step up in the race, or will it be part of what the World Health Organization describes as a "moral catastrophe" as wealthier (and more pro-active nations) successfully vaccinate their people against the scourge? Considering how things go at this end of the country, it is likely that wealthier and more powerful citizens will secure their own vaccine doses, leaving the poor at risk of catching the virus with all its dangers, adding to the numbers of infected or deceased whose fates would have been avoided had timely and equitable action been done.

Islamic governance involves serving the most disadvantaged sectors of society more than the wealthy. This pandemic should serve as the perfect opportunity for the region to put its battle cry into practice. PMT

SELECTED SAYINGS OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAW)

ENVY If envy were proper, two persons would be the most proper objects of it; one, a man to whom God hath given riches, and appointed to bestow in charity; the other, to whom God hath granted the knowledge of religion, and acteth thereon himself, instructing others.

Keep yourselves far from envy; it eateth up and taketh away good actions, like as fire eateth up and burneth wood.

Opinion

Ijtihad MEHOL K. SADAIN

A

s early as 1935, the Constitution already anticipated the coercive power of the State on the exercise of academic freedom, and protected the privilege by guaranteeing that “universities established by the State shall enjoy academic freedom” (Art. XIV, Sec. 5, 1935 Constitution). The provision zeroed in on “universities established by the State”, American experience being that the most prone to State influence are public educational institutions for obvious reasons.

We then ask, are our existing public educational institutions of higher learning, like the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), among others, susceptible to State coercion? The answer is yes, in the same manner that other rights may also be subjected to the coercive powers of the State. For this reason, the 1987 Constitution continues to protect the exercise of academic freedom in Art. XIV, Sec. 5(2) which de-

clares that “academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning”; as it also protects all other democratic rights and freedoms under its Bill of Rights. The protection of academic freedom is, therefore, expanded to include private institutions of higher learning.

This brings us to the 1989 Agreement between U.P. and the Department of National Defense (DND) which the latter unilaterally abrogated, prompting U.P. academicians and students alike to protest the abrogation as an infringement on the exercise of academic freedom in the U.P. campuses. The argument goes that without the agreement, the military and the police can enter the campus, spy on the teachers and the students, or apprehend any of them, and stymie the freedom of teachers to teach and the right of the students to learn, thus restricting and endangering academic freedom in the university.

A closer look, however, will show that this argument has nothing to do with aca-

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

WHAT IS ACADEMIC FREEDOM? (Part II) demic freedom. Neither is it a valid defense of academic freedom, assuming such is indeed endangered. The entry by the military or the police inside the campus to enforce the law does not directly and automatically hinder the right of teachers to teach what they want to teach. Even during martial law when the military presence was more palpable, the threat of apprehension was greater, and there was no agreement to speak of, the teachers taught what they wanted to teach in the manner they thought best.

The students, on the other hand, continued to learn all kinds of “isms” in their social science subjects. Due to the banning of rallies and demonstrations, the issues then were the twin rights to expression and assembly, but not academic freedom.

Then also, the fear of military espionage in the campus conducted by military men entering the campus and attending classes or symposia when the agreement is no longer effective, seems to be a misplaced fear, considering that one who attends a class is supposed to be enrolled in that class, and therefore, entitled to be in

the class; while one who attends a campus symposium or forum is usually allowed to, because such is open to the public. In short, with or without the agreement, a military man can be enrolled in a class as long as he is admitted by the University, or can attend a campus forum as long as it is public in nature.

Clearly therefore, academic freedom will exist, with or without the agreement. It is not violated by the absence of such an agreement; neither is it promoted by the presence of the same agreement. As a constitutionally-enshrined right, its violation finds relief in the Constitution that does not require an agreement.

As early as 1962, then U.P. President Vicente Sinco wrote that the provision in Art. XIV, Sec. 5 of the 1935 Constitution, “grants the right of academic freedom to the university as an institution, as distinguished from the academic freedom of a university professor” and “as the University of the Philippines is a university established by the State, it is obvious that it is entitled to this right.” Then Sinco added that “the academic

es it is a Veni, vidi, vici for former US President Donald Trump, which is a Classical Latin that means: “I came; I saw; I conquered.” It is a Latin phrase used to refer to a swift conclusive victory.

Just a moment of respite, the Batanes To TawiTawi found the fall story of the former US President Trump as interesting also to dwell with after we discussed the Philippine setting especially on the controversies about the procurement of Coronavirus Vaccines.

Hence, we are now discussing the “Trumpvirus” as what US netizens aptly said.

On January 20, 2021,

Trump did not wait anymore for the inaugural ceremony of his successor President Joe Biden and immediately boarded the Air Force One as his “Last Plane Out” for Florida. In fact in his farewell address he did not even mention the name of President Joe Biden. He only said “my successor.”

A lot of US netizens made varied comments on the hasty departure of Trump.

Apparently, a die-hard Trump supporter and a netizen named Priye Okpokire, apparently of a Greek ancestry had this to say, ―He came, he saw and he conquered.‖ The deep state saw someone deeper. Okpokire in defense of Trump and said, ―He lost gallantly. He did it for

freedom of an individual scholar or research worker … flows directly from the constitutional provision guaranteeing freedom of speech and the press, but for a special purpose”, then he quoted the Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, by saying it is “the freedom of a teacher or researcher in higher institutions of learning to investigate and discuss the problems of his science and to express his conclusions, whether through publication or in the instruction of students, without interference from political or ecclesiastical authority, or from administrative officials of the institution in which he is employed, unless his methods are found by qualified bodies of his own profession to be clearly incompetent or contrary to professional ethics.”

The exercise of academic freedom, therefore, is not unbridled and absolute. It is circumscribed by certain “professional ethics” or norms that do not violate the constitutional safeguard. We shall discuss this in our next column.

MKS

Veni, vidi, vici for Donald Trump

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Y

A7

love of family. He went home and mission accomplished.

We love our President (Trump).‖ However, an anti-Trump netizen had this to say: ―He is not worthy to be on Air Force One. That could be his last time on that plane.‖ Another netizen also said, ―Trumpvirus that is your last free ride at taxpayers expense. Next ride to the Court House will be at your own expense.‖ Then another said, ―what a relief to see him depart the flying fortress (Air Force One).‖ Seeing the relatives and close allies of the exPresident disembarked from the presidential plane and fetched by a fleet of U.S. government limousines, a netizen named Bruce M. Marshall had this to say, ―all

those vehicles, a waste of taxpayers money.

They should have hired a bus instead.‖ It is pathetic to see former US President Trump and no supporters were at the airport to welcome him back home in Florida except for a handful of US Secret Service.

In contrast his US Vice President Mike Pence who landed on-board Air Force Two at Indiana Airport was met by several supporters and they have a short program ―Back Home Again‖ at the tarmac.

A certain Indiana resident that sounds like a Filipino by the name of Daniel Olivares said about former VP Pence, ― He was a Great Vice President of this wonderful country.‖ Another US netizen name

Brian Halton said ―Imagine a Trump presidency without Pence. Pence provided stability when our country needed it most!‖ Another inspiring words came from a US Citizen named A-yen Gallogo who said, ―You gained the respect of the American people. You are a great man, a great leader and an epitome of a true American.‖ Finally in his brief message former US Vice President Mike Pence thanked all his supporters who met him on his arrival at Indiana Airport and elsewhere, ―there is no place like home. And nice to be Back Home Again!‖ For your Comments/ Suggestions please send your email to munir1845media@gmail.com

A8

Opinion

Diliman Way HOMOBONO A. ADAZA “Freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not matter much. That would be a mere shadow of freedom.

The test of its substance is the right to differ as to things that touch the heart of the existing order.” - Justice Robert Jackson “Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.” – Section 3, Article II of the Constitution.

I

used to have a healthy respect for National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Among the many cabinet secretaries of President Duterte he towers above all of them in intelligence, rationality, independence and civility. While the rest of them act like cowering canines, Lorenzana projected courage, without fear of being publicly reprimanded or removed from his job. It takes character and integrity to do that under President Duterte.

The most significant and exemplary act in his career was when he publicly contradicted President Duterte about the idea of establishing a revolutionary government.

Without hesitation, he categorically stated that the military will not go along with the idea. Like a chastened leader who just woke up from a desired sweet dream, Duterte was pushed into silence.

Since then, despite consistent prodding from some of his staunch supporters,

Duterte ceased to blabber about establishing a revolutionary government.

Good for Lorenzana and Duterte as well.

UP and DND agreement: It is bilateral agreement, not a unilateral commitment. Being bilateral, it cannot be abrogated by one of the parties without the consent of the other, unless there is a provision for unilateral abrogation.

In this case, none exists. So the abrogation is illegal. Lorenzana can be charged before the Ombudsman for violating section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, doing something injurious to the government as well as to UP and its faculty, students and its officers and employees and section 4 of RA 6713 for doing something undemocratic, unprofessional, antnationalist and unpatriotic.

Lorenzana can also be charged administratively and civilly for violating section 1, Article XI of the Constitution which requires that pub-

My Legal Point BAYAN G. BALT

I

n any situation and under no circumstance, Congress cannot be deprived of its Constitutional power of Inquiry and or to investigate any agency or instrumentalities of the government in “aid of legislation.” Section 21, Article VI of the Constitution provides: “The Senate or the House of Representatives or any of its respective committees may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with its duly published rules of procedure.

Recently, Congress was asked to extend the term of the ―BTA‖ for another three Three years more from June 2022 to June 2025 as contained in BARMM Parliament Res. No. 332. Five Bills have been filed in the House of Representatives and one in

the Senate supporting the proposed extension, in the House of Representatives, Congressman Mujiv Hataman filed a Resolution to conduct a midterm review of the ―BTA‖ before the approval of the proposed extension; it was reported that the ―BARMM‖ leadership speaking thru its Spokesman DILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo opposed the midterm review. Worth to mention is that the ―BTA‖ is an agency of the government and that its officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and uphold public interest over personal interest (RA 6713).

The consensus report among BARMM‘s constituents is for ―BTA‖ to submit to Congress midterm review, not only to inform Congress their accomplishments for the last

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

University of the Philippines and DND Secretary Lorenzana lic officers and employees ―must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiently, act with patriotism and justice.‖ All the cited provisions of law and the Constitution have obviously been violated by Lorenzana and President Duterte as his co-conspirator since Lorenza announced publicly that the abrogation of the agreement is with the consent of the President.

Ground for abrogation: The SND stated as a reason for the abrogation of the agreement – that UP has become the recruitment place of the CPP-NPA. It is a claim without showing any evidence. . If there is evidence, Lorenzana should show it to the UP authorities, consistent with the agreement. If he cannot show any evidence, then Lorenza‘s claim is merely speculative.

Speculation cannot be a basis for the abrogation of an agreement.

Assuming Lorenzana shows evidence of CPPNPA recruitment of students in UP campuses, why did not Lorenzana confront the UP authorities? What is the evidence? How was it secured?

If the UP authorities were not informed of the operation which resulted to the gathering of evidence within any

UP campus, then the military is guilty of violating the agreement.

Military: The spokesmen of the military claim that UP should explain why there were UP graduates who got killed in military operations against the rebels. You don‘t have to come from UP to join the revolutionary movement – that is a matter of personal choice, it is not the fault of the institution.

When then Lt. Victor Corpuz and the late Capt.

Crispin Tagamolila, both graduates of the Philippine Military Academy, joined the revolutionary movement did the military ask the PMA authorities to explain why the duo joined the CPPNPA? Did it start conducting operations of any kind in the PMA to determine whether rebel recruitment in the Academy was going on?

When ten fresh PMA graduates were assigned to the Bureau of Customs to help in the campaign against graft and corruption in the Bureau but ended getting involved in graft and corruption themselves, did the DND ask the PMA authorities to explain the behavior of the PMA graduates? Did DND start policing the PMA whether recruitment was going on for cadets and graduates to join the ranks of the corrupt?

When generals and other officers of the military were accused of being involved in graft and corruption not only in military contracts but on day to day operations did the DND ask the military units to explain why there is graft and corruption? Did DND start conducting intelligent operations to rid of recruitment into the ranks of those involved in graft and corruption?

When some of the finest graduates of the PMA organized and joined coups against the Cory Aquino government, did DND ask itself why some of the best PMA graduates organize and join the coups? Did it start conducting intelligent operations among the ranks of the military whether recruitment was going on?

Did the DND inquire into the causes of why PMA graduates join the revolutionary movement, involve themselves in scandalous graft and corruption, and organize and join coups to overthrow the government?

Why? Why, oh why, Lorenzana?

Solution: When a solution is irrational, the normal response of knowledgeable and intelligent individuals is to say – Burning the house to kill a mouse. Invasion of universities by the military has never worked since time immemorial. Why? You cannot kill ideas ADAZA | A12

Midterm review of “BTA” essential to moral governance two years but likewise afford Congress an insight of what things to be done, if ever extension is granted. An extension of ―BTA‖ existence without a road map to arrive the finish line would be meaningless, if not a mockery of our political processes. Stated otherwise, a midterm review will open the gate of transparency which is an essential to moral governance. Without moral governance our region will be thrown into the abyss of chaos and anarchy.

As suggested by some peace advocates, Congress may extend the ―BTA‖ after a midterm review, however it can likewise repeal unjust and discriminatory provisions of the ―BOL‖ such as monopoly of powers thru bifurcating major agencies held by one tribe, the re-accommodation of unjust terminated ARMM workers, the environmental

and power sharing of lake Lanao‘s wealth and the political restructuring of the administrative system with three (3) Chief Ministers and one common parliament. Unless these vital issues are addressed by Congress, peace will find hard to achieve in ―BARMM‖.

In Islam the foundation of moral governance is Justice.

The holy Quran describes good governance as the law of justice, a just and principled order and compliance of rights and responsibilities in a society. Thus:” O you who believe stand up as a witness for Allah (swt.) in all fairness, and do not let the hatred (‘adl), be just, this is closest to piety” (Al-Maidah, 5:8). Clearly when there‘s no justice because there is no equal distribution of powers but monopoly of powers, there can be no moral governance. In rich countries, they economically prosper because they honor

their agreement and commitment. When the ―BOL‖ was enacted into law, both the MILF and the Congress agreed to a three year terms to be followed by elections in year 2022. The agreed provisions were approved by the constituents of ―BARMM‖, any change need the approval of our constituents.

Islamic teachings despise noncompliance of an agreement entered into between parties. BGB ————————— For comments: Email me at bayanbalt@yahoo.com Atty. Bayan G. Balt is former Chapter President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP-Marawi City and Lanao del Sur, 2013-2015), Chairman of the Ranao Federal State Movement, (RFSM) and Pres. Of the Alliance of Regional Coalitions Against People’s Poverty (ARCAPP).

the Nation

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

Senate moves to extend BTA lifetime in record bandwagon of supports

A9

Lanao Del Sur now becoming halal tourism destination

By ALI G. MACABALANG

C

OTABATO CITY: The Senate has joined the bandwagon of supports for an extended Bangsamoro transitional operation, with Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III filing on

Monday, January 25, the first enabling bill in the higher chamber of Congress that bolstered the bandwagon of efforts to postpone the 2022 parliamentary election.

By ABDUL HANNAN MAGARANG TAGO

T

ourism industry is one of the major source of income for any country in the world. It creates thousdans of job opportunities and boost the local products sales. Tugaya artifacts for instance are United Nations (UN) recognized products.

In fact, the annual pilgrim or hajj to the two Holy land in Saudi Arabia is a pillar of Islam that reflects religious journey bringing million of Muslims across the world to various historical sites in the Holy land.

Recently, Saudi Arabia allowing its guests, after performing Umrah or Haj to visit other parts of the country to boost further its tourism Industry as non -oil source of its economic diversity.

The rich-oil counties in Gulf are also among top nationals in tourism expenditures looking for a new halal tourist destination.

IN SUPPORT OF BARMM TRANSITION EXTENSION. Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III files on Jan. 25, 2021, the first enabling bill in the higher chamber of Congress that bolsters the bandwagon of efforts to postpone the 2022 parliamentary election. (File photo) Pimentel, one of incumbent senators from Mindanao, introduced Senate Bill No. 2019, which seeks to amend Section 13 Article 16 of R. A. 11054, the 2018 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Charter that set the first regular members of the BARMM Parliament in 2022.

His bill also seeks to R.A. 6734 of 1989 that established the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as amended in 2001 by R.A. 9054 that strengthened and expanded the ARMM territory.

Pimentel‘s move has bolstered the still growing bandwagon of supports from Muslim, Christian and Lumad sectors, the latest of which came from Mayor Rosita Furigay of Lamitan City in an official communiqué handed on Monday by her husband-Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay to BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal.

Furigay said her city ―honestly believes that sufficient time is needed for the BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority) to lay down the foundation for the institutionalization of a just and lasting peace and to maintain the momentum in achieving economic growth in the Bangsamoro.‖ Lamitan is one of two cities in Basilan, a BARMM component province whose executive and legislative leaderships were earlier reported as opposed to moves for extension in the 20192022 reign of BTA, the interim ruling body of the new autonomous region.

Lamiteños have already felt the initial gains of the new regional governance and ―it is but right and just to allow it to come to fruition so that we do not compromise the peace and gains we

have achieved,‖ Furigay said.

Reliable sources said Furigay is one of six mayors in Basilan supportive of extended BTA rule. The five other mayors met less than two weeks ago with BARMM Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, they said.

Sulu second district Rep. Abdulmunir Arbison also expressed his support to the Bangsamoro transition extension in another statement posted in the official Facebook page of Luuk municipal government.

The call for poll postponement and the campaign for moral governance by the interim BARMM administration are ―overwhelmingly supported by the people in the 2nd District of Sulu,‖ the post quoted Arbison as saying.

Rep. Arbison has earlier visited BARMM Chief Minister Ahod ―Hadji Murad‖ Ebrahim at his office here, during which he reportedly expressed verbal support for poll postponement. ―Let‘s give moral governance a chance and help President Duterte to fulfill his legacy for lasting peace in Mindanao,‖ Arbison was quoted as stressing.

Last week, Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, the highest Catholic Church leader in BARMM, and Governors Bombit Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Nancy Catamco also issued statements rallying the call to postpone the 2022 polls to 2025 and allow the interim regional leadership-initiated reforms to take due full course.

Catamco, the first elected Lumad governor in North Cotabato, said the ―success of the Bangsamoro benefits her own province.‖ Sixty villages in North Cotabao are now parts of BARMM. Meanwhile, Maguindanao second District Rep. Esmael ―Toto‖ Mangudadatu welcomed the filing of Sen. Pimentel‘s bill, saying the senate measure implied the potential passage of a harmonized version in the whole Congress for the postponement of the 2022 election of regular parliament members.

After filing on Dec. 1, 2020 his poll-delaying measures (HB 8117), Mangudadatu told the Philippine Muslim Today that he expected at least two Senate bills to follow suit.

Five bills including Mangudatu;s have already been filed in the House of Representatives to extend the BTA reign. But a version of Lanao del Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo wants the 2022 polls held on time and the BARMM operation extended up to 2028. AGM

Lanao Del Sur with its clean second largest lake in the country, its falls and the friendly climate is now emerging attraction while modern facilities are now being established in various municipalities including newly built resorts hotels in Wato Balindong and many others.

In Marawi City, as the center point of the government development, it has to response to the needs of its visitors or the localities and it should be up to the expectations of the visitors.

Philippines Muslim Today was invited this week to a farm located at the height between the city and Mindanao State University (MSU) that over looks the beautiful lake Lanao.

That‘s the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) Which refers to the promotion of agriculture and other primary industries that are fundamental to human existence.

It also denotes nurturing qualities such as dedication for one‘s own community, international brotherhood- sisterhood, and respect to the earth‘s ecological integrity on which life came into being.

OISCA represents the intent to encourage the magnificent cultural diversity that has enriched human life and the universal need to sustain traditional values.

According to its General Manager Abdulsalam S. Bato, OISCA started its humble beginnings way back in 1987 with the establishment of the muslim agricultural training center by virtue of MSU Board of Regents Resolution No. 175, series of 1987. A memorandum of agreement was signed by Organization for industrial, spiritual and cultural advancement (OISCA)- Philippines, Mindanao State University (MSU), The provincial Government of lanao del sur and the office for Development Management office of the President.

The farm as tourists spot will be officially open to the public next month while passersby can take photos and enjoy the atmosphere. AHMT

A10

Across the Nation

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

Sen. Gordon files BARMM election-delaying bill, too

By ALI G. MACABALANG ANILA: Some 1.5 million adult Filipinos from low-income families have been registered to the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) after the program was expanded nationwide starting January 18 this year.

Senator Richard ―Dick‖ Gordon has filed a bill postponing the 2022 election for regular members of the Bangsamoro parliament and giving the interim autonomous governance three additional years in its transitional strides in building a bureaucracy responsive to stable peace and equitable growth in Muslim Mindanao.

Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael ―Toto‖ Mangudadatu, one of proponents of House counterpart bills, revealed the ―good news‖ shortly after Sen. Gordon filed Wednesday, Jan. 27 Senate Bill No. 2025, which seeks to amend also R.A. 11054 to effect the postponement of the first election of parliament members mandated in 2022.

The filing of Gordon‘s measure brought to two the number of Senate bills introduced so far in the Senate in support of moves to extend the transitional Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) governance.

The first was Senate Bill No. 2019 filed on Monday, Jan. 25 by Mindanao‘s Senator

Aquilino ―Koko‖ Pimentel Jr. that was equally heralded and extolled

by BARMM officials alongside Mangudadatu, chair of the House Special Committee on Unity, Peace and Reconciliation (SCUPR).

The SCUPR is one of House committees initially handling five corresponding bills in the Lower Chamber.

Both Senate bills proposed amendment in Section 13, Article XVI of R.A. 11054, known as Bangsamoro organic Law or BARMM Charter, which set the first regular election for the 80 regular members of the regional parliament. They also seek the repeal of R.A. 6734, which created the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as amended by R.A. 9054 that expanded the region‘s territory and strengthened its governance.

Senators Gordon and Pimentel‘s separate filing of bills of similar intents was heralded by Mangudadatu in separate media advisories describing it as ―big push‖ to the BARMM transition extension drive that began from a parliament resolution

up to the filing of five bills in the lower chamber of Congress.

Mangudadatu filed House Bill No. 8117 on Dec. 1, 2020 almost simultaneously with House Bill 8116 introduced by Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda. Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez, Lanao Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo and Deputy Speaker Isidro Ungab followed suit with their House Bills numbered 8161, 8222 and 8277, respectively.

In a podcast on Jan. 22, Regional Chief Minister Ahod Hadji Murad‖ Ebrahim described the bills of Mangudadatu, Legarda, Romualdez and Ungab as ―acceptable to us because they basically have the same (intents in postponing the regional elections from 2022 to 2025).‖ Dimaporo‘s version proposes the conduct of the 2022 polls as scheduled and seeks to extend the ARMM transition period up to 2028 if the normalization and political tracks stipulated in the BOL and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed by the MILF and the government in

Humble Chief Minister proves down-toearth leadership

By Abdul Hannan Magarang Tago

M

Senator Richard Gordon. (File)

Special Report

I

2014 would not be completed, according to reports.

Buoyed by the similarity of the two Senate bills to his version and the three other House bills, Rep. Mangudadatu lauded Senators Pimentel and Gordon for rallying the bandwagon of support for the electoral postponement. ―Isa na naman pong senador ang nakinig sa lumalakas na panawagan nating mga Moro na ipagpaliban muna ang eleksyon para sa Bangsamoro Parliament at nang mapalawig pa ang transition period para sa minamahal nating rehiyon,‖ he said in a statement, referring to Gordon‘s bill.

The Maguindanao lawmaker, a former three-term governor, had issued a similar statement of appreciation for Sen. Pimentel on the day of the latter‘s bill filing. ―Sa ating lahat, lalo na sa aking mga kababayan na patuloy na nananalangin para sa katuparan ng matagal na nating minimithing kasarinlan, identidad, respeto at makabuluhang pamumuhay bilang isang komunidad: Huwag po tayo mawalan ng pag-asa. Patuloy lang tayong manalig kay Allah at sa sinseridad ng Administrasyong Duterte at ng BARMMBTA na mawakasan ang kaguluhan at mapaganda rin ang kalidad ng buhay, hindi lang ng mga Moro kundi pati na ang lahat sa Mindanao,‖ Mangudadatu said.

Since last week, statements of support for BARMM transition extension having been pouring in one after another from different groups and personalities, including Cardinal

was deeply touched honored with this very humble words from a Chief Minister, “Very sorry brother, I was in Malacañang during the 21st day of the celebration” said Chief Minister, Ahod „Haj Murad‟ Balawag Ebrahim in a text message yesterday.

He added: I left an instruction to our program director to invite you, but unfortunately it was not relayed to the one who finalized the program.

“Really very sorry was not able to monitor the program. Actually it was only this afternoon, I learn that you have not delivered a message” CM Murad observed.

On January 18, the start of the 2nd Foundation Anniversary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) I received an invitation text message from the Chief Minister to participate in the final day of the celebration (Jan. 21) by delivering short message via zoom along with top officials of the national government as below text message.

“We will invite you on the final day on 21 to give a short message via zoom, along with the National Officials”.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman visited me more than ten years ago at the headquarters of the Saudi Arabia leading English daily, Arab News in Jeddah for an exclusive interview while he was still the MILF head. I reciprocated him an official visit to his camp Darapanan during my vocation for another media interview. Then exchange of meetings have been became constant and cordials.

Recently, in September 2019, I was tasked to invite him as the guest of honor at the First Global Economic Summit organized by the Bangsamoro Federal Business Council Inc. (BFBCI) held in Manila Hotel.

We both attended the annual Ramadan Iftar at the invitation of Saudi Arabia Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Abdullah Albussairy at his embassy in Makati, Metro Manila.

I was able also to introduce him at the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industries business forum at Dusit Hotel in Makati to talk on the investment opportunities in BARMM. The text below was intended for my participation I supposed to deliver via zoom on January 21 along with top national government officials including Cabinet Secretaries.

Alhamdulillah, In behalf of Al Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIBP), Bangsamoro Federal Business Council (BFBCI) and the Al-Azhar Scholars and Cairo Alumni from Lanao (ASEAL) as designated first Secretary General of the organization.

Allow me to express my utmost and sincerest wishes to my very own Bangsamoro people especially to those who sacrificed their lives, love ones and relatives for our own sake and benefit.

To our first ever Chief Minister, Al-Mujahid Ahod Haj Murad Ebrahim, the ministers of different ministries and members of the BTA (bangsamoro transition authority) given to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

GORDON | A12

TAGO | B3

World News

MinDA sets Mindanao forum for delayed vital projects

C

OTABATO CITY: Government officials in Mindanao will hold a virtual forum next month to address long-delayed vital infrastructure projects for possible implementation or completion as the Duterte regime comes to final 18-month dispensation.

Set for discussion in the February 10 virtual meeting are issues concerning delays in the implementation of essential projects, including the snail -paced Marawi Rehabilitation Program and the unimplemented Mindanao Railway System plan, according to organizers led by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

In a statement, MinDA Chairman Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol said he and Philippine Export Processing Zone Authority (PEZA) Director-General Charito Plaza had initiated preparatory arrangements last year for the conduct of the event, dubbed “Mindanao Speaks Up Forum.”

Sec. Pinol said that in the initial forum planning stages, he underscored the “need to review the implementation of the commitments of the administration for the development of Mindanao under the first-ever Mindanaoan President.”

“I have pointed out that just like in the past, Mindanao has again been relegated to a poor third in the sharing of the country’s budget resources,’ he said.

Piñol said the Feb. 10 forum will serve as a straight-forward reminder to incumbent officials on the commitments of the Duterte administration to fully develop Mindanao’s potentials.

Forum inputs will be included in the administration’s “last budget for 2022” being prepared by different government agencies as originally endorsed by Regional Development Councils, local government units and various sectors, he said.

“As one of the original campaigners and supporters of President Duterte, I emphasized that his legacy should include a fully developed Mindanao which is the undisputed food production region of the country,” he averred.

He said Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale Corvera, chairman of the Mindanao Regional Development Councils’ Executive Committee, will present the inputs gathered through a series of consultations since last year.

Other government officials, including Cabinet secretaries from Mindanao, will join the said forum to address concerns that will be raised by Mindanao stakeholders, he added.

“Among the flagship projects which have yet to be completed or even started are the Marawi Rehabilitation Program, the Mindanao Railway Project, and the Davao City-Samal Bridge,” he said.

Of the three major projects, Piñol said, the Mindanao Railway Project has raised great expectations from the people of the region as it promises convenient and easy movement of people and goods.

He said such project “has not only suffered delays but also revision in the design,” disclosing that MinDA endorsed a two-rail electric train system that was approved as a monorail locomotive system.

He said the Tagum City-Digos City section of the project was supposed to have undergone bidding in November last year “but this has not happened until today.”

Based on a Department of Transportation (DOTr) recent report, the bidding will be done by summer – which he said is posing a danger that it may not be started before the end of the term of the President.

Piñol cited another sort of misgiving the decrease to 12 percent of Mindanao’s budget share in 2021 from last year’s 16 percent of the national budget.

ALI G. MACABALANG

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

A11

MWL reveals new logo in line with its mission

By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

R

IYADH: The Muslim World League (MWL) on Monday revealed its new logo during a meeting chaired by the organization‟s secretary-general, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-

Issa.

The MWL is an international nongovernmental Islamic organization based in Makkah Al-Issa said the new visual identity aptly represent the MWL‘s vision, mission and goals.

He said the league, as an institutional umbrella of Muslim scholars and thinkers, has launched several key initiatives to enhance cultural communication and end rifts among different communities.

The new logo shows an image of the Holy Kaaba, which is a symbol of Muslim unity, AlIssa said.

Abdulrahman AlMatar, the undersecretary for MWL‘s executive affairs, said the new identity of the organiza-

tion shows an olive branch extended toward the world, which represents the MWL‘s core principles and mission to promote global peace and harmony.

The MWL is an international nongovernmental Islamic organi-

zation based in Makkah. It aims to present the true message of Islam and its tolerant principles, provide humanitarian aid and extend bridges of dialogue and cooperation with all.

Over the years, it has

taken several initiatives to bridge the gap between the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds. It aims to promote a culture of dialogue and discourage all forms of extremism at all levels.

(With story from Arab News)

MILG mulls five field emergency centers for efficacious response to disasters COTABATO CITY: The Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is pursuing its plan to put up field outfits of its Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READI) project to capacitate component provinces in dealing with humaninduced or natural calamities.

BARMM spokesman and MILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo revealed this on Monday, Jan. 25 as he announced the arrival that day in Sulu of READI‘s packages containing rice, canned foods and other basic relief goods for flood-affected people in Jolo town. ―Our assistance to the flood victims in Jolo is now in Sulu. We hope that this year we can already construct (READI) Emergency

Operation Centers in the provinces so that we can preposition goods and emergency responders in the provinces and shorten our response time,‖ Sinarimbo said in his Facebook post coupled with some photos.

In an earlier interview, Sinarimbo said each provincial READI center will have a new building worth over P10-million alone, equipped with complete modern facilities of global standard.

He said the field outfits will be built in the government centers of Basilan, Sulu, TawiTawi, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur to ensure ―close coordination at all times‖ with the host provincial officials and line agency representatives.

Most of the five provinces, which now comprise BARMM alongside three cities, 118 municipalities

and 2,590 villages (barangays), have been reeling from havocs of intermittent calamities such as human-induced incidents from violent extremism to local clannish feuds, and natural disasters like floods and earthquakes.

Loss of lives and wastages in resources resulting from disorganized and slow response efforts had prompted officials of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to create its Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team (HEART).

Shortly after the 29year old ARMM was abolished in 2019, succeeding BARMM officials enhanced the operations and organizational structure of the HEART program, renaming it into READI. Unlike in the ARMM days when HEART operations were placed

under the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG), BARMM Chief Minister Ahod ―Hadji Murad‖ Ebrahim had tasked the MILG to administer the READI program, taking into account the nature of the ministry as a ―frontline‖ agency to local government units in the region.

The MILG has enhanced the READI program, furthering the training of its workforce and partner sectors‘ volunteers under the Incident Command System (ICS), a synergized emergency network observed in dozens of countries.

During the recent celebration here of the 2nd BARMM founding anniversary, officials led by Chief Minister Ebrahim showcased and launched the operation of two MILGacquired modern speedboats intended to beef up the READI services.

MILG | A12

News

A12

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

GORDON| from Page A10

Sen. Gordon files BARMM election-delaying bill, too Orlando Quevedo, Governors Bombit Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato, Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison, the Save Sulu Movement, mayors in Basilan, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

A group calling itself ―Firm Bangsamoro International‖ issued a statement Wednesday, copy furnished the Philippine Muslim Today, casting ―full support‖ to the calls for BARMM interim governance extension.

Southern Philippine Development Authority (SPDA) Administrator/CEO Abdulghani ―Gerry ―Salapuddin has joined the bandwagon, underscoring the need to sustain the gains in peace building achieved through the

BARMM even at its stage of infancy as a legacy of the Duterte administration.

Salapuddin, a former pioneer Basilan governor and congressman belonging to the Moro National Liberation Front‘s founding ―Top 90‖

band, said that since the BARMM entity is transforming to parliamentary system from the current presidential form of government, it should be given sufficient time to complete its initial successes in installing needed political structure. AGM

MILG | from Page A11

MILG mulls five field emergency centers for efficacious response to disasters quarter to BARMM by a company supplier, which won the prior bidding, for distribution to the five provinces, they said.

They debunked an earlier claim by a Sulu official, who opposed the popular call for

READI program workers said they were expecting to acquire more speedboats for the dispersal of units to all five provinces.

At least five modern fire trucks would be delivered this

BARMM transition extension, that the new autonomous government ―done nothing‖ for his province and constituents.

In fact, they said, the BARMM government, through its READI team was the first

regional entity to respond to the fire incident in Jolo that destroyed more than 2,000 houses on February 3, 2020. ―Minister Sinarimbo personally led the READI in dispersing relief goods and in-

specting the fire scene with a hope for the regional government to provide possible assistance in the reconstruction efforts,‖ a READI worker said.

AGM

infant bureaucracy had started exemplifying the corresponding punitive sanction, regional authorities were reported girding to look into appointments in public institutions within the autonomous region including the Mindanao State University (MSU) system covering a main campus

and seven major field units.

This column will keep track of the BARMM administrationinspired thrust. Let‘s keep watching!

For reactions and suggestions, feedbacks can be sent to this columnist through the Facebook Messenger or to: alimac.bulletin@gmail.com.

MACABALANG | from Page A5

Stormy stride for „moral governance‟ Dismantling irregular practices embedded in government machineries is one of major challenges facing the infant governmentin bidding to end decades of armed conflict called the ―Mindanao problem‖ that left not less

than 120,000 people killed, multitude of families displaced and huge socio-economic opportunities wasted.

Transcending from the presidential system to parliamentary governance is surely painstaking, especially for

MILF people still learning the rudiments of bureaucracy after decades of combative life.

Why can‘t we give them a chance to prove their worth in peaceful undertakings?

Talking of nepotism, I learned that after the BARMM

ADAZA | from Page A8

University of the Philippines and DND Secretary Lorenzana by killing people. You kill ideas with better ideas.

The problem of the military is – it never study or restudy its strategy and tactics.

It should read and analyze. Establishing its threatening and bullying presence in the University of the Philippines will never work. That kind of tactic has been tried here and in many parts of the world - it has never worked. It did not work with President Marcos who was a brilliant product of the UP; it will never work with anyone. Why? The reason is as clear as day – if the military does its homework.

On the other hand, the military approach produces contrary results – intensify recruitment of students into the fold of the CPP-NPA. Recruitment: It exists everywhere – in UP, in other schools, in churches, in the labor force, in the government, in the professions. The greatest recruiter of rebellion and revolution is the government. Why? It represents a system that is rotten to the core – poverty, oppression, abuse of power, graft and corruption, irrational approaches to problems, lack of opportunities, lack of education, a failed justice system and a dysfunctional government, lack of adequate health services and inadequacy to promote the right ideas and values. In short – it is injustice. Poverty is unjust in a country that is democratic and boasts of being Chris-

tian.

Oppression, abuse of power and graft and corruption is unjust because they violate the fundamental provisions of the Constitution and the rule of law as well as the human person. Lack of opportunities, lack of education, and lack of adequate health services is unjust because it is failure of government to provide for them as these are basic government functions.

Failure to promote the correct values and put them into practice is unjust because it is the duty of government to do it.

In short and as they say – deprive a man of food and he will beg for food, deprive a man of justice and he will join the revolution.

Rebellion and revolution: These are the different names of courses of action for system change to produce a better life for the people – the government calls it rebellion; rebels as well as political thinkers and historians call it revolution Central to the core of their use is – injustice. Let us take a closer look of the Philippine experience focusing on schools – civilian and military, on their students and graduates.

In the case of UP, it has produced some of the most outstanding revolutionary thinkers of our time – some of them not just thinking but organizing and joining revolutions. The names are interminable, so to say. Let us start with the affluent Lava family –

Dr. Jesus Lava, Atty. Jose Lava and economist Horacio Lava. They all graduated from the UP with the highest of honors. Two of the brothers joined the revolution – earlier than the CPP-NPA. Francisco Nemenzo, Jr., former President of UP is one of the most outstanding revolutionary thinkers and scholars who UP has ever nurtured and ever seen..

Jose Maria Sison, a scion of a wealthy family from the Ilocos – founder and leader of the CPP-NPA up to this day is a poet, professor, thinker and an undying revolutionary. Nur Misuari is the founder of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). And many more – some have fallen in the night like Antonio Tagamolila, editor -in-Chief of the Philippine Collegian, official student publication of UP, Diliman campus and Lorena Barros and some still alive like Dr. Carol Pagaduan Araullo.

They are the best and the brightest doing honor to the reason why UP exists - the promotion and preservation of the tradition of excellence in all fields of human activities; the promotion and preservation of the aristocracy of the mind; and the training of excellent Philippine national and community leaders.

Under the UP environment not just rebels and revolutionaries have been produced but President and leaders in Congress and the judiciary - Presidents Laurel, Roxas, Quirino and Marcos as well as a smattering of UP education in Pres-

idents Garcia, Magsaysay and Macapagal who spent some years in colleges at UP; Presidents of the Senate like Gil Puyat and Marcos, Speakers of the House of Representatives like Eugenio Perez, Jose ―Pepito‖ Laurel, Jr., Jose de Venecia, Noli Fuentebella and Alan Peter Cayetano and Speaker Nicanor Yñiguez of the Batasan Pambansa; and Chief Justices of the Supreme Court like de Castro and Sereno.

UP produces the best and the brightest in various shades of the spectrum. Rebel and revolutionary or not this is quite a formidable contingent. To cross sword with this type of a crowd is like stirring the hornet‘s nest.

Back to school: Now Lorenzana admits that tagging people Reds is an error of the military. He, however, insists that the military will not budge in the abolition of the UPDND two decades agreement signed by Defense Secretary Enrile and President Ramos, both allies of President Duterte.

This abolition formula does not work, especially so because it is a typical approach of the Duterte administration – creating solution which is a problem. The AntiTerrorism Act is a problem.

The senseless killing of thousands of illegal drug addicts is a problem.

Charter change is a problem. Solutions become problems – giving birth to more problems. When will the Duterte administration ever learn?

This current approach failed in demolishing com-

munist insurgency in China about a century ago. Mao Tse Tung, Chou-en Lai and Chu Te demolished Chiang Kai Shek and democratic capitalism. Ho Chi Minh, Vo Nguyen Giap and Van Tien Dong defeated this same approach in South Vietnam from Ngo Dinh Diem to Nguyen Van Thieu.

Fidel Castro and Ernesto ―Che‖ Guevarra defeated Battista in Cuba. Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin defeated the Czars in Russia. The kind of approach DND is using never worked in these countries. It will not work here.

So the military should go back to basics – study the fundamentals and the past. It is working on the wrong goals and adopting wrong approaches. The communist insurgency has been in this country for the past fifty years. The strategy and tactics of the military has failed including this one.

It‘s about time Lorenzana and the generals look at themselves in the mirror, review what they are doing, learn from the experience of other countries and start anew.

Footnote to history: President Duterte is very fond of saying - Don‘t mess with me, every time someone touches him on the wrong side of his head – like impeachment, his presidential security guards and his family.

Secretary Lorenzana and the military should learn from President Duterte.

Don‘t mess with UP! It is not too late to learn. Stop this abrogation brouhaha. Lift the abrogation order - sit down and dialogue with the UP President. That is the right thing to do.

HAA

Tourism

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

Of Mosques and Cultural Centers in Tawi-Tawi

Sinina, a Maguindanao delicacy "Bangsamoro Halal Dish"

By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D

T

WITH MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL

he Province of Tawi-Tawi has gained international recognition because it is considered as the cradle of Islam religion in the Philippines.

In 1380, an Arabian missionary named Sheik Karimul Makhdum landed in Bohé Indangan, a village in the island Municipality of Simunul. He introduced Islamic concepts, principles, rituals and practices as taught

by Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) It was narrated that Makhdum himself did physically participate in erecting the first mosque together with the natives of the place.

The most notable part of the structure are the four huge ‗monolithic‘ wooden pillars that still stand today and remain solid.

They are now central to the over-all part of the current mosque - which has been renovated a number of times.

Today, Sheik Makhdum Mosque has been declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Following the introduction of Islam, mosques and cultural centers has been built in almost all parts of the municipalities of the province owing to the sincere acceptance of Islam religion and its teachings by the people.

The mosque, masjid in Arabic, is the Muslim gathering place for prayer. Masjid simply means ―place of prostration.‖ Though most of the five daily prayers prescribed in Islam can take place anywhere, all men are required to gather together at the mosque for the Friday noon prayer.

Some historical narratives point to the fact that Makhdum has travelled to other municipalities of the province and continued preaching and established a house of worship. For instance there remains a single wooden column in barangay Laum Sikubong, Municipality of SapaSapa with a marker that dates back to 1370. If true, this one outdated The Sheik Makhdum mosque in Bohé Indangan. A radiocarbondating is needed to determine the age of the object wood column).

Other claimants include the Municipality of Sibutu in a barangay

B1

A

t the 33rd Issue of Philippine Muslim Today, I am glad to announce that the BARMM-Cooked Halal Dishes Culinary Column is done with major delicacies of the two provinces of the Bangsamoro region the Province of Sulu where we discussed all its major food preparations like the Tiyulah Itum (Black Soup) or Tiyulah Sug, and the famed Sulu Satti. And the recent one, the delicacies of Lanao del Sur. Hence, as we went back to Lanao del Sur, we discussed its famous condiment the Palapa and of course their delicious Piaparan na Manok including the recent Maranao adopted delicacy the Beef Rendang.

Now as we go on I would like to tackle with you the Maguindanao delicacies. For the start as I introduce to you the delicacies of this tribal group from Cotabato City and Maguindanao Province, may I discuss with you the Maguindanao SININA – a traditional Muslim delicacy that is usually served during festivities or what they normally call ―Kanduli‖.

Traditionally served with tenderized goat meat and served without vegetables but, to be more appealing to the young ones and those who are health conscious, one can either add potatoes or carrots.

Thus Sinina is indeed one Maguindanao cuisine made of tender goat meat. The other one is a Beef Sinina and is the Maguindanaoans local version of the Filipino‘s favorite beef stew.

It is widely available in most restaurants in Cotabato City like restaurants at the vicinity of Al Nor Hotel.

Certainly one must must eat or partake Sinina when visiting Cotabato City or the Maguindanao Province.

Sinina therefore is a special Maguindanao dish specially served during Kalilang or wedding celebration and thanksgiving ceremony known as ―Kanduli.‖ The main ingredients of Sinina as a Maguindanao food is the meat of goat but sometimes they also used the meat of beef, the other ingredients to make a delicious Sinina is langkuwas, ginger, garlic, onion, tomato, potato, carrot, soysauce, bell pepper and coconut milk.

FHEBIE | B2

named Sheik Makhdum believed to be the home of the great Arab missionary. In this place, allegedly, a grave of Sheik Makhdum can be found. Also a mausoleum, just after the grave, has been erected here honoring the religious teacher. There is also one in Bohé Maheya in mainland Tawi-Tawi whose native residents alleged that the tomb

found in the hilly area with stream below was that of Sheik Makhdum.

A theory has emerged that all claimants might be correct in their assertions as some religious and history pundits say that there were seven missionaries who arrived to TawiTawi and perhaps spread themselves to preach Islam religion in the area. One keen stu-

dent of Islamic studies has affirmed that the name ‗Makhdum‘ is a title meaning ‗teacher‘.

The one in Bohé Indangan is widely known as Karimul Makhdum.

Perhaps a comprehensive research must be done to trace the other ‗makhdums‘ if indeed they are not ‗one‘ but many who came to the islands of Tawi-Tawi.

JRL

B2

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

Balik Islam Royette Padilla’s Catholic burial stirs controversies QUEZON CITY: The Roman Catholic burial of Royette Padilla, brother of Robin Abdulaziz Padilla, also a Balik-Islam like Robin has stirred so many controversies when a group of Muslims led by an Ustadz who is himself a Balik Islam led a Janazah Prayer in front of the coffin of Royette who is Khalid Padilla as a Muslim.

A netizen identified in his Facebook Account as Akhie Mads Solaiman asked if what Ustadz Ahmad Barcelon who led the Janazah prayer in front of Royette‘s cadaver inside a coffin with the image of Jesus Christ and a crucifix displayed in front is proper and can be accepted in Islam.

Asked why Royette has to be buried under Catholic rites and not the Islamic rites being himself a Balik-Islam and his brother Robin or known as Abdul Aziz to his Muslim brothers is now a devout Muslim said Robin‘s decision was not able to prevail upon the majority‘s decision of the family that Royette Padilla should be buried only in a Catholic rite.

This is despite of the fact that Robin has put up a Muslim Cemetery in Norzagaray, Bulacan free for the Muslims. He named it ―Muslim Cemetery: Himlayang Liwanag ng Kapayapaan.‖ Robin according to confirmed sources did not insist anymore to bury his brother Royette or Khalid as a Muslim because of the trouble that might erupt among

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Ustadz Ahmad Barcelon leads the Salatul Janazah prayer before the cadaver of Royette “Khalid” Padilla, brother of actor Robin Abdul Aziz Padilla. Royette is a Balik Islam at the time of his death but the Padilla clan opted to bury him under Catholic rite. (Contributed Photo) the members of the Padilla family if will insist that Royette should be buried in accordance with Islam.

In view of this, many Muslims were asking almost the same questions if Ustadz Ahmad Barcelon has not erred towards Islam by leading that kind of Janazah prayer to a person like Royette though a BalikIslam but still considered a Catholic by the members of his family.

According to an Ulama, Dr. Muhd-ata Abdulkarim he has not seen anything wrong done by Ustadz Ahmad Barcelon in leading a Janazah prayer before the cadaver of Royette Padilla.

But instead a Janazah prayer in this kind of situation must be done for the demise Muslim. ―And much much more if this is the only way to do it,‖ Abdulkarim stressed.

Sabi ng ating mga Iskolar: .‫ما ال يدرك كله ال يترك جله‬ "Ang hindi maaabot la-

hat (hindi kayang isagawa lahat) ay hindi pweding iwanan lahat."

He said this is one of the so-called ―Dharoorah― or no other choice.

Hence, ―as I have said if there is no other way to choose from, then a Salatul Janazah must therefore be offered to him,‖ Abdulkarim further said.

However, Ustadz Abdulkarim also offered an alternative that should have been done

by Ustadz Barcelon.

That is by offering another form of Prayer for the dead known as Salatul Ghaib that can be done inside the Masjid.

He said this was done by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for the Najashie.

The point of view of Ustadz Abdulkarim was concurred or supported

by Aleem Said Ahmad Basher, an alumnus of Al-Adzhar University in Cairo, Egypt.

Aleem Basher who

is concurrently the Chairman of the Imam Council of the Philippines said there was nothing wrong if Ustadz Barcelon led the Salatul Janazah even with the picture of Jesus Christ and Crucifix are displayed in front. ―After all they are not offering their Salatul Janazah to the picture of Jesus Christ nor to the Crucifix on display,‖ Aleem Basher pointed out. ―On the contrary it is the niat or intention of the persons praying that counts most that is inside his heart and mind,‖ he emphasized.

Aleem Basher just like the religious opinion of the previous Ulama, said the other good thing that should have been done by Ustadz Barcelon was to perform the Salatul Ghaib.

He said there is a Hadith wherein even Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) offered Salatul Ghaib to King Lagos of Ethiopia because he is

actually a Muslim secretly.

Furthermore, Aleem Basher also differentiated between Salatul Janazah and Salatul Ghaib.

He said Salatul Janazah when the Muslims offering their prayers right in front of the cadaver of the demise person; as against the Salatul Ghaib when persons offering the prayer is in the ab-

sence of the departed person.

In a related development, Sheikh Hadji Faisal Malande of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi where Islam was first introduced in the Philippines in 1380 by Karim Al Makhdum, the first Arabian trader to reach Simunul has this to say regarding this Salatul Janazah on Royette Padilla.

Sheikh Faisal said ― for its symbolism, it was not proper. It was unIslamic.

The Cross should have been removed during Salatul Janazah.

Under such circumstance, however, the prayer was valid, Sheikh Faisal added.

In fact, a Muslim can pray inside a Church but facing the qiblah, or toward Makkah, following the hadith that states,"the whole world is a place for prayer, except a graves and toilets or any filthy place.‖ JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Norzagaray Muslim Cemetery.

FHEBIE | from Page B1

Sinina, a Maguindanao delicacy The Maguindanao just like the Maranao loves to add special herbs and spices to their food that‘s why they also add spicy palapa in this dish, for some who doesn‘t know what is spicy palapa, as we discussed before it is actually a Maranao condiment made of special spicy herbs that Maguindanao add in cooking Sinina because they like also spicy food.

INGREDIENTS: 500 grams either host meat or beef cubes, cleaned, drained and cut into chunks 1 – 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 thumb size ginger, sliced thinly or langkuwas 1 medium size red onion, sliced thinly 2 – 3 cloves of garlic, minced 2 ripe tomatoes, quartered ¾ c Coconut Milk (gata)

2-3 tbsp spicy Palapa 2 medium size potatoes, chunks 1 medium size carrot, chunks 1 chives (green part only), chopped 2 – 3 tbsp soy sauce 5 – 8 bird‘s eye chili, halved Ground black pepper to taste Additional soy sauce to taste Chives (green part only),

chiffoned for garnish Procedure: 1) Heat oil in panSauté ginger, red onion and garlic.

Add tomatoes. Cook until wilted 2) Add in meat chunks.

Cook until it turns brown, stirring constantly.

3) Pour in Coconut Milk.

Allow to simmer.

4) Season mixture with soy sauce and black pepper.

5) Adjust seasoning to

taste. Stirring constantly, still allowing mixture to simmer.

6) Add in Spicy Palapa, potatoes and carrots. Mix well.

7) Simmer mixture until coconut milk thickens and sauce is reduced by over half.

8) Adjust seasoning according to taste.

9) Serve hot with rice for 4 -6 persons.

Maria Fhebie Ortil

Vol. I, No. 33 | Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2021 (Jumad „ul Akhir 16-22, 1442)

B3

Cops’ removal of BARMM pennants on fete day deplored

By ALI G. MACABALANG

BARMM PENNANTS REMOVED. Uniformed police elements removed early morning on Jan. 18 some BARMM commemorative flags installed along sidewalks of Sinsuat Avenue in Cotabato City. (FB) COTABATO CITY: Officials and supporters of the interim governance of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have deplored acts by some police elements of removing commemorative flags from city streets here during the recent celebration of the region‟s second anniversary foundation.

Concerned citizens posted photos in Facebook pages showing uniformed city police elements uprooting a number BARMM pennants along sidewalks of Sinsuat Avenue and other main streets here early morning of Janu-

ary 18, the first day of anniversary celebration staged simultaneously in component provinces, cities and villages.

Some photos on the wayward incident are shown in this link: https:// www.facebook.com/ photo/? fbid=227472808996902 &set=pcb.22747285566 3564&__cft__[0] =AZWUB6qR2tILfb_MN edkvWZ5Ys0IQSp9HMIr ypqgxQoBQ2BqlYz0VXX zPxgSGJHvRE5imHR5jtj LNw6ktSzA7dpNGKMrt GM_WmHcRH5HQYhR btKOn4nTMFPxrufcJhiV 0s&__tn__=H-R. The post, authored by one Morro Matutanged, generated at least 2,000 shares and 272 comments from 491

nitizens. It btagged as a show of ―disobedience‖ by authorities in Cotabato City, which which has been officially placed under BARMM supervision by national officials led by Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año effective Dec. 15, 2020.

It also berated the same incident as an ―insult‖ to authorities, civilian and police alike, in the city and regional entities.

Reactors were surprised that media establishments here have been mum about the incident. Only a few broadcast entities operating outside BARMM areas made commentaries about the incident, calling for cohe-

sive moves to end the city leadership‘s stance about the new autonomy.

BARMM cabinet officials reportedly learned about the incident but had issued no official statements ostensibly to avoid undue spoilage in the momentum of the four-day commemoration that culminated on Jan. 21.

A cabinet member said there would be a ―day of reckoning‖ for the incident, especially on the involvement of city police elements in the power play among city and regional officials.

But interim Regional Parliament member Jose Lorena had taken the cudgel to say he would

file a resolution calling for an investigation into the incident.

Lorena, a lawyer from Sulu, said at the sidelight of a press conference here on Jan. 19 that ―disciplinary action‖ ought to be done on cops involved in the incident.

The police should not play partisan acts in politics, he said without elaboration.

The eve of the BARMM kick-off commemoration events fell on a Sunday, which has been declared as ―no movement day‖ in this city in observance of government protocols against spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Police elements assisted by some civilian

individuals imposed stiff inspection along entry points to this city, causing a traffic jam for some three hours along the Quirino Bridge access road. One of the cops was overheard as saying that a ―memo‖ was purportedly issued in the evening of Jan. 17, Sunday to prevent entry to this city.

Affected in the stunted vehicles‘ movement, this writer talked over the phone with City Police Director Richard Fiesta lengthily before my car and that of fellow journalist Ferdinandh Cabrera were able to pass though.

Dozens of other vehicles swiftly followed through as a result of this writer‘s representation. AGM

TAGO | from Page A10

Humble Chief Minister proves down-to-earth leadership Thanks for the opportunity to share and air my overwhelmed happiness on the BARMM 2nd Founding Anniversary that became possible because of the wisdom and decisive leadership of the President of the Republic of the Philippines His Excellency Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

I have been writer of a Saudi leading newspaper for two decades and Bangsamoro issue was in my blood that reflected in my bylines and writings. I had several one-on -one interviews with top leaders of the MILF including the Chief Minister.

I strongly believe that

BARMM leadership — as a fruit of 50 years long struggle is on right track despite the very limited provision period given to prove itself. It is performing its mandate with full competency, inclusiveness and competitiveness.

The pandemic has affected the world without exemp-

tion, as such the three years transition period would not be sufficient to enable a infant entity to stand by and with it‘s own foot. BARMM is the last card and the only promising hope left for the Bangsamoro as the definite answer to the historical injustices committed against them.

Let‘s us continue the job for an extension of another three years to the BARMM leadership of what it has started. I am certainly confident to see another progressive and peaceful region in the country and Asia as a whole. Shukran and wassalam.

AHMT

BARMM | from Page A3

BARMM exec rejects mid-term review call, tags it „alibi‟ to „kill‟ transition...

7. There are already ongoing hearings on the earlier bills filed to extend the period of transition. If Congress wishes to inform itself on the status of the implementation of the law

it may invite and indeed, it has already invited the peace panels, the TPMT and other relevant bodies during its hearing on the proposed amendatory bill. A separate and parallel

mid-term review by Congress will not achieve anything new apart from what are already being discussed in the hearings on the extension of the transition period, accept de-

lay.

8. A comprehensive, albeit rapid review has been undertaken by an independent network of CSOs, the Mindanao Peoples Caucus and parties

may avail of its findings.

9. Peace processes and its implementation are always fragile. We must handle it with care if we are to ensure it succeeds. AGM