Cotabato city: The Bangsamoro Parliament on Tuesday elected senior Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Mohammad S. Yacob as its new speaker, replacing Pangalian Balindong, who died Oct. 2. Member of Parliament Yacob was unanimously elected to lead the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority in a special session presided over by Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua.

According to Philippines News Agency, in his acceptance speech, Yacob vowed to lead the parliament with honesty, neutrality, and respect for the rule of law. “I will uphold the sacred principles of moral governance as both a standard and a shield,” said Yacob, who also serves as the Bangsamoro Region’s senior minister. “I will serve – not to be served; I will lead – not to rule, but to unite.”

Yacob will serve as speaker until a new one is elected following the region’s first parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for a later date. Interim Chief Minister Macacua told parliament members that the speakership is “a sacred trust – a role that serves as the vessel through which the collective will of the Parliament is tempered with justice, humility, and wisdom.”

Additionally, lawmakers elected MP Jose Lorena as deputy speaker and MP John Anthony Lim, a lawyer from Tawi-Tawi, as the new parliament floor leader, replacing MP Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba. MP Amer Rakim, a lawyer, was elected deputy floor leader.