NewsFormer PM Virata and MILF Chair Murad share insights on Bangsamoro government transition

Manila, Philippines – In a historic meeting last November 22, Former Prime Minister Cesar Virata and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Murad Ebrahim, Al Hajj met to discuss about the parliamentary system of government and future plans for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Virata shared his experiences on organizing the Batasang Pambansa (Parliament) and developing effective policies for fiscal, land, agriculture, civil service, and infrastructure.

This is the first meeting between the two leaders, as Chair Murad prepares for the plebiscite to establish the BARMM.

Cesar Virata served as a Prime Minister from 1981 to 1986 and recognized internationally as one of the best finance ministers in Asia.

They were joined by highly respected business and government leaders namely Jaime C. Laya (first Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management and the 5th Central Bank Governor), Margarito B. Teves (former Finance Secretary), Jose P. Leviste (former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and Secretary General of the Prime Minister), Senen Bacani (former Agriculture Secretary and a member of the government peace panel), Corazon Alma de Leon (former Chair of the Civil Service Commission and former Chair of the Career Executive Service Board), and Amina Rasul-Bernardo (President of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) and a cabinet member of former President Ramos).

Accompanying Chair Ebrahim were several key figures of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front namely Mohammad Yacob (Executive director of the Bangsamoro Development Agency), Mohammad Ameen (Chief secretariat of the MILF Central Committee), Sammy Al-Mansoor (Chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) – MILF), and Said Salendab (Hayatul Ulama Secretary General).