Tens of thousands of UBJP supporters attend at Northern Mindanao Provincial General Assembly, party President Ebrahim expresses gratitude

COTABATO CITY (May 8, 2024) — Ahod “Alhaj Murad” Ebrahim, the Party President of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) expressed gratitude for the overwhelming turnout of the 1st Provincial General Assembly of UBJP Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Marawi City Chapters that reached to more than 30,000 participants held in Bansayan, Poona Bayabao, Lanao del Sur on Monday, May 6, 2023.

The event brought together a multitude of attendees demonstrating support for the United Bangsamoro Justice Party with the presence of Governors, Mayors, Local Government Officials, Ministers, Traditional Leaders, the Religious sector, women, and youth.

UBJP President Ebrahim emphasized the significance of political participation, noting that the sheer number of attendees reflects a collective commitment to the UBJP and its candidates.

“Kung lahat ng nandito ngayon ay boboto sa UBJP, siguro bobotohan ninyo ang UBJP at kandidato ng UBJP, kahit hindi ko na kayo kumbinsihin kasi boboto naman kayo kasi yun ang importante, sa lahat ng ating party leaders, mga miyembro, mga kaalyado at supporters dito sa mga Probinsya ng Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, at Marawi City at iba pang pook, isang taos-pusong pagbati mula sa ating mas lalo pang lumakas na partido ang United Bangsamoro Justice Party o UBJP na syang Political Party ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front o MILF. Marami pong salamat sa inyong patuloy na pag suporta sa ating political party na s’ya ang tunay na malasakit sa lahat ng Bangsamoro,” said in Filipino.

(If everyone here today votes for UBJP, perhaps you will vote for UBJP and UBJP candidates. I don’t need to convince you because you will vote anyway. After all, that’s what’s important. To all our party leaders, members, allies, and supporters in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Marawi City, and other areas, heartfelt greetings from our party that get even stronger — the United Bangsamoro Justice Party or UBJP, the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF. Thank you very much for your continued support for our political party, which truly cares for all Bangsamoro.)

Reflecting on the historical context of the Bangsamoro struggle, Ebrahim underscored the journey from organizing front organizations to the armed struggle against injustices faced by the Bangsamoro people. He recounted significant milestones, including the negotiation process that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which marked a pivotal moment in the quest for peace and self-determination of the Bangsamoro people.

Acknowledging the achievements of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) over the past years, Ebrahim, also the Chief Minister of the BARMM, said that there must also be a parallel approach to resolve the ongoing challenges and the imperative to sustain the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process.

Ebrahim emphasized the need for continued representation of those who have sacrificed for the Bangsamoro cause, ensuring that the BARMM remains a vehicle for positive change in the Bangsamoro homeland.

Chief Minister Ebrahim expressed his willingness to step down from his position if it meant ensuring that BARMM leadership remains in the hands of those who have been part of the struggle. He urged the Bangsamoro people to remain steadfast in their support for the UBJP, emphasizing the party’s commitment to advancing the interests of the Bangsamoro people.

He said, “Ako hindi ko na… na ako ang maging Chief Minister kahit na sino as long as galing dito sa mga nag struggle, majority pa rin na ang hahawak ng BARMM ay galing sa mga nag struggle, yun lang ang kailangan natin kasi we need to continue kung ano ang nasimulan natin, kailangan tapusin kung ano ang nasimulan natin.”

(I don’t mind if I remain as Chief Minister or not, as long as whoever takes the position comes from those who have struggled. The majority of those who will hold BARMM should still come from those who have struggled. That’s all we need because we need to continue what we have started, and we need to finish what we have started.)

Ebrahim reiterated the importance of political participation and urged the Bangsamoro masses to vote for UBJP candidates in both the party list and parliamentary district elections. He stressed that the UBJP represents the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people and called for unity in achieving their shared goals. (Sahara A. Saban, BMN/BangsamoroToday)