INTERESTING things are yet to happen for the Bangsamorolandia. With the upcoming plebiscite in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) and in the non-Armm areas on January 21 and February 6 respectively, many things are yet to unfold.
Many questions are still left unanswered. Is there really a need to answer all these? For those who fought for this Bangsamoro identity for the past 40 years, my kudos to all. We can only hope that your current vision and plans for the Bangsamoro are well thought enough that many of our brothers and sisters in the land can find peace and justice.
The challenge is now in the hands of those who have remained faithful behind this ratification. I believe that the wisdom behind it is far better than what we can imagine and perceive. However, are we that contented already? Can mothers like me just stay neutral about this?
The Bangsamorolandia is not all about self-determination and ancestral domain to many of us. We badly need to change for our next generation to have a better life. We badly need a good government that can lead us the way to a better ‘us’ in this country. But how can the new Bangsamoro organic law do all these? I do not blame those who are impatient and those who are negating my ideas now. Greater aspects of change must come from within. We need to be faithful enough to seek guidance from the Almighty for a lot of us have been lost in the wonderland of bigotry and deceit. Many of our people have made evil to good. In the presence of tremor and deviance in the society because of violence, we have not responded to the root cause of everything. The evil is conquering goodness. This manifests in our people’s blinded pursuit for affluence which led a lot of us in the government to practice mal-governance.
The increasing number of individuals especially the youth who are involved in evil activities, political blindness, ignorance of religion and culture have contributed greatly on the distrust of many to the success of the Bangsamoro land. Skepticism on the side of many are painful but realistic because of what they are seeing and have experienced in the current Armm. They do not want to be affiliated at all. They even thought of Bangsamoro Organic Law or the new BARMM as the new poison that will brainwash the new breed of people in the land.
Now, how can we counter these notions, my Bangsamoro brothers and sisters? Can mutual respect and proper values be restored without the hidden intention of selfishness? Are we ready to empower the people and take them out poverty without any intention to exploit the poor and the powerless?
If a Bangsamoro can sacrifice his worldly needs over the benefit of the many, then our spiritual equilibrium will be restored and trust will then come after. If one can put his honorable words into action, then we have started the journey towards enlightenment. All these are but a few of the many ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ of the new Bangsamorolandia. All these can be made possible and plausible when one reconnects himself with proper intention to Allah with no hesitations, no vested interest and no denial.
This ratification is not just a change in name and power. It must be a holistic change. Our Bangsamoro land will not become as successful as we want it to be without everyone’s participation. A mother must guide her children by enjoining them to do good for all people. A father must bring home food that is from Halal income. A teacher must teach his students to live the good lessons learned and not just heard. A doctor has to help ease the pain and cure sicknesses without the arrogance of expertise. A businessman must see his clients as partners in economic good and not worthy of any form of exploitation. A government worker who will see transparency and accountability as means to achieve responsibility.
These are words that are easier said than done, I know. But as a pure blooded Bangsamoro with Allah in all of his intentions, these words are never wasted.