MURAD Ebrahim, interim chief of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), has agreed with the appointment of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol as President Rodrigo Duterte's "point man" in the Bangsamoro region.
This was revealed by the President in a chance interview with Palace reporters on Thursday, July 11.
Duterte said Murad gave his approval during their meeting at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, July 10.
"Yes," he said, when asked if the Moro leader approved of Piñol's new assignment.
The latest development came after Murad reportedly said that several Moro leaders were wary of Piñol's transfer to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
Piñol on June 27 transmitted a letter to Duterte, expressing his intent to resign as the head of the Department of Agriculture. He asked that he be reassigned to MinDA.
Duterte confirmed to reporters that he already transferred Piñol to another government agency.
"The truth of the matter is I really transferred Piñol to assist them. Hindi naman ito husbandry. Nandiyan na 'yan eh. Wala akong point man doon na taga-roon pinanganak, doon lumaki, a farmer (It's not husbandry. He's already there because I don't have a point man who was born and raised there, a farmer)," he said.
"He became governor for a long time. I'm sure he can help the BARMM and the government to fast track everything. I am most interested na makita na ng Moro people 'yung hinihingi nila (to help the Moro people achieve their goal) -- to move faster so that you will realize the dream state that you have been asking for and fighting for," the President added. (SunStar Philippines)