Senator-elect Robin Padilla (File photo)
COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) adopted a resolution congratulating and commending Robinhood ‘Abdulazis’ Padilla for placing first in the Senate race during the May 9 elections.
In a Facebook post, Bangsamoro Member of Parliament (MP) Diamila Disimban-Ramos, one of the principal authors of Resolution No. 754, confirmed the approval of the measure during the BTA’s fourth regular session on June 16.
“Napakalaking bagay po nito para sa ating mga Muslim, para sa ating mga Bangsamoro, para sa kabuuan ng Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Mayroon na po tayong kampeon sa Kongreso, kampeon sa Senado at kampeon na magbibigay seguridad sa kapakanan at Karapatan ng mga Muslim. Magbibigay seguridad sa pagkakaisa ng iba't-ibang tribo at mananampalataya, na ipaglalaban ang kapayapaan at hustisya at bibigyang prayoridad ang pagpapatuloy ng mga magagandang nasimulan natin sa BARMM (This is a great blessing for the Muslims, for our Bangsamoro and for the whole of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. We now have a champion in Congress, a champion in the Senate and a champion who will secure the welfare and rights of the Muslims. He will protect the unity of the various tribes and religious faith. He will also fight for peace and justice and give priority to the continuation of the good things we started in the BARMM government)," she added.
Ramos said Padilla might be a first-time senator, but he is not a neophyte in public service as he will advance “Rebolusyonaryong Pagbabago para sa Responsableng Pilipino” and “Aksyon Hindi Drama”, as his battle cry.
She said Padilla, the only Muslim senator in the incoming 19th Congress and the first one since 1995, is expected to guarantee Muslim representation in the upper chamber and ensure the advancement of the welfare and protection of the rights of Muslims, as well as the unity of the Filipino people.
“Napakahalaga po ng ating pagkakaisa para sa pagpapatuloy ng legasiya ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte para sa pagkamit ng hustisya at pagkamit ng kapayapaan para sa seguridad ng Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Sa pagmamahal po ni Pangulong Duterte, ay inatasan niya ang ating kapatid sa pananampalatayang Islam Brother Abdulazis Robin Padilla upang tumakbo bilang Senador sa nagdaang 2022 national and local polls at Alhamdulillah siya po ay pinalad at naging number one senator (Our unity is very important for the continuation of the legacy of President Rodrigo Duterte for achieving justice and achieving peace for the security of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. With the love of President Duterte to us, he appointed our brother in Islam Brother Abdulazis "Robin" Padilla to run as a Senator in the last 2022 national and local polls and Alhamdulillah he was fortunate and became the number one senator)," she said.
Disimban-Ramos added that Padilla's win guarantees Muslim representation and provides a huge opportunity to push for legislative and developmental measures that will not just safeguard the peace process and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao but will also advance our quest towards a more inclusive, more equitable, more progressive and more socially just society.
Aside from Ramos, the measure was earlier introduced by MPs Maisara Dandamun-Latiph, Marjanie Macasalong, Hatimil Hassan, Amilbahar Mawalil, Eddie Alih, Modayao Sacar and Adzfar Usman.
The actor-turned-politician obtained more than 26 million votes and won huge in all provinces of the BARMM.
"In the last live victory, Mr. Speaker. According to Comelec (Commission on Elections), the Senator-elect obtained a total of 1,461,373 votes in BARMM alone wherein in Basilan he received 171,227. In Lanao del Sur, he was the Number 1 also and he received 323,326. In Maguindanao Mr. Speaker, the highest, with 519,867 votes. In Sulu, 304,902 and in Tawi Tawi, 142,231 votes,” Dandamun-Latiph said.
“Senator-elect Robin Padilla, prior to his election, has been a champion in advancing the rights and welfare of the ordinary Filipinos like farmers, fisherfolks, micro and small entrepreneurs, the overseas Filipino workers, women, youth and vulnerable sectors including underprivileged and marginalized sectors. He also has been consistent in the welfare and development of Muslims and Non-Muslims in the country through his charitable acts, quick response relief assistance to disasters, and calamity-stricken neighborhoods and families, all this, behind the scene, Mr. Speaker,” she added.
In the aftermath of the Marawi siege, Padilla immediately organized Tindig Marawi through Liwanag ng Kapayapaan Foundation, Inc.
He also purchased four hectares of land, which he donated to the Bangsamoro Government for the construction of houses for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), donated PHP5 million cash to the Department of Social Welfare and Development psychosocial intervention for children, provided another PHP5 million funding through Islamic microfinance for the establishment of enterprises of the IDPs and funded the constructions of deep wells for the IDPs. (PR)
