MP ATTY SUHARTO M AMBOLODTO MNSA

23/07/2025

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗘

About 20 women from Barangay Kinebeka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, received financial aid on Wednesday, July 22, 2025, from the Office of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) interim Parliament Member Atty Suharto M Ambolodto MNSA. This assistance, provided in collaboration with Community and Family Services International (CFSI) for its "Halal Condiment Technology Enterprise," aims to establish a sustainable, women-led business that will generate economic opportunities and improve livelihoods within the community.

Noraida Abdullah Karim, CFSI Director for Mindanao Programme, stated that this initiative, under the Communities for Learning and Employment Project (CLEP), is being implemented to promote peace and sustainable local development in six Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F) camps and their areas of influence.

CLEP has been implemented from September 2022 to July 2025, and is now at its no-cost extension (NCE) until December 15, 2025. The project operates in close collaboration with select BARMM agencies, ministries, offices, the Joint Task Forces on Camps Transformation (JTFCT), local government units (LGUs), and partner cooperatives or people's organizations. A key component of the NCE is the development of sustainable, community-based, and women-led enterprises. This includes providing capacity building, access to start-up capital, product packaging assistance, and market linkages, all directly supporting the Halal Condiment Technology Enterprise.

In December 2024, CFSI partnered with MP Ambolodto's office to conduct a five-day training for the 20 women, focusing on hot sauce processing. Myla Gumafelix, CFSI’s CLEP Community Organizer, said that these participants are envisioned to be part of the community-based enterprise.

The enterprise has a general objective to create economic opportunities and enhance the overall quality of life. Specific objectives include: enhancing the entrepreneurial skills and knowledge of the twenty participants; increasing income and employment opportunities; and establishing a halal condiment technology enterprise managed by women from the MATADO cooperative.

MP Ambolodto said that the financial assistance is an important approach towards building a more productive and self-sufficient community. "It allows these women to become entrepreneurs, generating income and jobs for themselves and their families," he emphasized.

The Bangsamoro lawmaker also commended CFSI's commitment, adding, "This initiative shows the power of collaboration and the impact that can be achieved when we work together to empower communities."

Sukarno Akmad, a representative from JTFCT-Badre, was also present at the financial assistance turnover.

20/07/2025

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | BTA interim Parliament Member Atty Suharto M Ambolodto MNSA was presented with a memento by Dir. Razulden A. Mangelen, Director II of the Air Transportation Services, Bangsamoro Ministry of Transportation and Communications. This recognition acknowledges the Bangsamoro lawmaker’s significant support for the recently concluded 2nd BARMM Air Transportation Summit, held in Davao City.

The summit's theme, "Bangsamoro Air Transportation: Connecting Communities and Creating Opportunities," reinforces the shared vision for enhancing regional connectivity.

18/07/2025

🌟 A NEW ERA OF ENERGY FOR MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE! 🌟

Imagine this: NO MORE BLACKOUTS. Low electricity bills. Power for every household, every farm, every school, and every business—24/7. 💡⚡

This vision is now POSSIBLE with the arrival of YOROI MICRO REACTORS — the world's latest in safe, compact, and efficient nuclear technology! 🇵🇭🌱

This is our chance to establish our very own Provincial Government-Owned Power Company — run by us, for us. 🙌🔥

✅ Clean, safe, and stable power
✅ Energy independence for our province
✅ Government-owned = public benefit, not private profit
✅ Boost for agriculture, water systems, local industries
✅ Big leap toward jobs, development, and investments

With Yoroi reactors, Maguindanao del Norte can lead the way in Mindanao—from the shadows of underdevelopment to a future powered by innovation and self-reliance.

The future is here. Will we claim it?

👉 Let's spark the conversation. Let’s power our future—together, today!

18/07/2025

The Committee on Bangsamoro Justice System (CBJS) has finalized its schedule for completing a report on a bill that would establish a transitional justice mechanism in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, targeting its submission to the plenary by August.

Committee members agreed on the timeline for finalizing the report, which consolidates two pending measures, BTA Bill Nos. 353 and 25, filed separately by the Government of the Day and Deputy Speaker Laisa Alamia.

Both bills seek to establish the Bangsamoro Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (BTJRC), a regional body tasked with addressing historical injustices.

CBJS Chairperson Suharto Ambolodto said the committee is fast-tracking its deliberations and will incorporate feedback gathered during a series of public consultations conducted across the region’s island and mainland provinces.

The region-wide consultations included testimonies from victims of human rights violations and insights from transitional justice experts.

Ambolodto emphasized that the BTJRC is meant to provide a formal mechanism to address legitimate grievances and correct historical injustices endured by the Bangsamoro people.

The committee stressed that the regional commission is not intended to override national transitional justice policies, but rather to complement them by addressing the specific needs and historical context unique to the Bangsamoro region. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)

17/07/2025

15/07/2025

𝗕𝗧𝗔 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗦 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗜𝗡𝗣𝗨𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦

COTABATO CITY, BARMM --- The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Committee on Justice’s Technical Working Group on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation (TJR) held a public hearing for Maguindanao del Norte on Tuesday morning, July 15, 2025, at Alnor Convention in Cotabato City. This session aimed to gather community feedback on two proposed measures designed to institutionalize transitional justice across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Both 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗼. 𝟮𝟱, "Regional Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission for the Bangsamoro Act" by Deputy Speaker Laisa Alamia, and 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗼. 𝟯𝟱𝟯, the Government of the Day's "Bangsamoro Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Act," aim to establish comprehensive regional programs for transitional justice and reconciliation in the Bangsamoro. While Deputy Speaker Alamia's bill specifically proposes a Regional Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission to design and oversee a program prioritizing victims' rights to truth, justice, and reparation, Parliament Bill No. 353 broadly seeks to create a regional mechanism to address grievances, historical injustices, human rights violations, and marginalization, particularly concerning land dispossession experienced by the Bangsamoro people and other indigenous groups.

The CBJS team, led by its Chairperson, Member of Parliament Atty Suharto M Ambolodto MNSA, engaged with various stakeholders during the public hearing. These included representatives from the provincial and local governments of Maguindanao del Norte, the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) women's group, civil society organizations, and other local community leaders.

Abusama M. Amilil from LGU Talitay shared the importance of finding solutions to land dispossession issues, while Hadja Giobay S. Diocolano, State Chairperson of the MNLF Women, emphasized the necessity of passing the proposed measures to further address human rights violations and seek justice, especially for women.

In response to Ms. Diocolano, MP Ambolodto stated that the proposed ‘commission’ would have the capacity and power to create fact-finding bodies for comprehensive truth-telling, substantiated by documented evidence, preferably from primary sources.

Haider B. Momen, OIC Head of Fulfillment Division of the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission, sought clarifications regarding the commission's composition but affirmed the BHRC's strong support for its establishment. "We hope that our insights will contribute to the creation of the BTJRC and will bring forth future areas of collaboration between the BHRC and the BTJRC, should it be approved and established by the Bangsamoro Government," Momen stated. "The BHRC reaffirms its commitment to supporting this transformative initiative and looks forward to collaborative efforts that make peace a shared and lasting legacy for the Bangsamoro people."

Abdillah Alabat, Vice-Mayor of Upi, raised concerns about ancestral domain claims of Indigenous Peoples in his municipality, particularly regarding untitled lands. MP Ambolodto clarified that the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples Development Act of 2024 (BIPA) already provides a comprehensive legal framework to protect and promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples within the BARMM. He also stressed the importance of pushing TJR in a "more pluralistic tri-people context."

MP Ambolodto concluded by emphasizing, " 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚."

The same public hearings also took place concurrently in two other locations: the Municipality of Guindulungan for Maguindanao del Sur; and Jamiat Kabacan Al-Islamie Inc. in Kabacan, North Cotabato for the Special Geographic Areas.

Having concluded its public hearings on the bills, the CBJS will now consolidate and review all gathered feedback and position papers for deliberation.

14/07/2025

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗧 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

CONGRATULATIONS Committee on Public Order and Safety (CPOS), led by our Chairperson MP Butch Malang, for successfully hosting the recent two-day "Fundamentals of Legislative Procedures and Committee Secretariat Functions" at the Blue Lotus Hotel in Davao City.

MP Malang's leadership, along with the tireless efforts of our exceptionally active and dynamic Committee Secretariat, ensured the smooth and successful conduct of the entire event.

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH Atty Abdel Jamal R Disangcopan, Director II of the Statutory Committees Support Service (SCSS), and BTA Deputy Floor Leader MP Atty Rasol Y Mitmug Jr. Your expertise were instrumental in enhancing understanding on Parliamentary Rules and Procedure, Roles and Functions of the Committee, Roles and Functions of the Secretariat, and the Proper Decorum during Committee Proceedings.

The simulation activity for the Chairperson/Presiding Officer provided a practical way to apply the concepts we discussed.

Once again, our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this significant capacity-building initiative.

11/07/2025

𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗢 𝗭𝗨𝗟𝗨 𝗗𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗷𝗼 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵!

The Bangsamoro Government has reached another major milestone under the stewardship of our esteemed Great Leader, interim Chief Minister Abdulraof "Sammy Gambar" A. Macacua in inching near the establishment of an FDA service facility in the Bangsamoro.

Food and Drug Administration Philippines Director General Atty. Paolo S. Teston and BARMM of H Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr.inked the Memorandum of Agreement just this Thursday morning at the Bangsamoro regional govenrment center in Cotabato City.

This initiative is a crucial step to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of health products like medicines, food, and cosmetics in the BARMM. While the national FDA's core powers remain, a regional BARMM-FDA office will streamline local regulatory processes and improve monitoring of illicit products. This new entity will align with national standards while incorporating Halal regulations, directly tackling issues like porous borders and inadequate oversight that have led to counterfeit and unsafe goods in the region.

The establishment of a regional FDA office in the BARMM will significantly bolster the local economy by fostering a more reliable and trustworthy market for health products. By directly ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of these goods, the BARMM-FDA will enhance public health, leading to a more productive workforce and reduced healthcare burdens. This localized regulatory presence will also streamline processes for businesses, cutting costs and time, thereby encouraging legitimate economic activity and making the region more attractive to investors.

Furthermore, aligning with Halal standards can unlock new market opportunities, contributing to the overall economic growth and stability of the BARMM. The BARMM-FDA is poised to significantly spur the Halal industry and trade by streamlining Halal certification processes through localized expertise, making it easier and more affordable for regional businesses to gain credibility and international recognition for their products. Its enhanced regulatory oversight will ensure strict adherence to Halal integrity and quality standards, effectively combating illicit goods and boosting consumer trust.

By ensuring compliance with global Halal requirements, the agency will position BARMM as a legitimate Halal production and export hub, expanding market access and fostering stronger trade relations with Muslim-majority nations.

This robust regulatory environment will also attract new investments into the Halal sector and build local capacity, ultimately contributing to the region's economic growth and stability.

The BARMM - itself an almost 5M halal market - is the central gateway to the 27 Million Mindanao market. Cotabato City and the Polloc Freeport and Economic Zone is literally in the middle of all the economies north, west, south and east of the autonomous region.

Senior DOH Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama, Jr.,himself a Bangsamoro and the main proponent of the establishment of the facility is believes alligning with the national regulatory network can only mean unified standards while respecting regional autonomy.

COTABATO CITY — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Bangsamoro Health Ministry forged a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to set up an FDA service facility in the region. The FDA, which is under the Department of Health (DoH), facilitates the regulation of drugs, health products, food suppl...

11/07/2025

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗖𝗢𝗕, 𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗔𝗡 𝗞𝗨𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗧, 𝗠𝗗𝗡

The Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital (CotSanGen), in collaboration with the Office of Maguindanao del Norte with Cotabato City Representative Bai Dimple Mastura, Office of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) interim Parliament Member Atty Suharto Ambolodto MNSA, and the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Blood Center, conducted a successful blood donation drive on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Brgy. Dalumangcob, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.

The initiative, operating under the "Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital Community Volunteers Blood Service" program, screened 37 individuals. From these, 27 qualified as blood donors, resulting in 27 units of blood collected. The qualified blood donors were provided food packs by the Office of Congresswoman Bai Dimple Mastura.

This particular drive is part of an ongoing campaign that began in Buldon and has since expanded to Matanog, Sultan Mastura, Parang and Sultan Kudarat, targeting various towns within Maguindanao del Norte. Blood awareness forums were conducted prior to the drive to inform and encourage local residents to participate.

The program aims to enhance the regional blood supply and promote voluntary blood donation, thereby improving the capacity of local healthcare facilities.

09/07/2025

Be sensitive and discerning; first, do no harm

09/07/2025

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | 𝗠𝗣 𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗩𝗚/𝗩𝗠 𝗢𝗡𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚

Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) interim Parliament Member Atty Suharto “Teng” M Ambolodto MNSA spoke on the role of conflict-sensitive legislation in promoting peace and development during a two-day "Onboarding for the Newly Elected Vice-Governors and Vice-Mayors" program held from July 8-9, 2025, at the Acacia Hotel in Davao City.

The training, a joint initiative of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) and UNICEF Philippines, was designed for newly elected local officials from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

It aimed to strengthen the leadership capabilities of the officials in legislative governance, peacebuilding, and inclusive leadership. Under the theme "Bangsamoro Local Leaders at the Helm: Embodying Moral Governance, Transforming Communities," this initiative is part of the broader Bangsamoro Newly Elected Officials (BNEO) program, designed to ensure a smooth and effective transition into office.

MP Teng's session, titled "Integrating Conflict Sensitivity and 'Do No Harm' in Local Legislation," stressed the necessity of crafting local laws that actively contribute to peace, social cohesion, and inclusive development, particularly in conflict-affected and post-conflict communities. He stated, “legislation serves as the primary mechanism for governments to establish policies and allocate resources, and therefore, it must be approached with a keen awareness of its potential impact on conflict dynamics.”

The Bangsamoro lawmaker traces the core functions of legislation, including lawmaking, representation, oversight, and budgetary responsibilities, all essential for promoting public welfare.

He also discussed the fundamental powers delegated to local governments - Police Power, Taxation, and Eminent Domain - stressing the importance of exercising these inherent authorities judiciously.

He then focused on the "Do No Harm" principle, which requires officials to take all necessary precautions to prevent any form of detriment - be it psychological, emotional, financial, or social - to individuals or groups affected by their actions.

The Bangsamoro legislator concluded by sharing that conflict-sensitive local legislation requires a deep contextual understanding, thorough impact analysis, inclusive processes, and a commitment to reinforcing “connectors" while mitigating "dividers" within communities.

He closed his sharing by zooming on the importance of transparency and accountability in all legislative endeavors.

07/07/2025

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗢 𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗, 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚, 𝗠𝗗𝗡

The Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital (CotSanGen), in partnership with the Office of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) interim Parliament Member Atty Suharto “Teng” M Ambolodto MNSA and the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Blood Center, recently held a blood donation drive in Brgy. Litayen, Bongo Island, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.

The activity is part of the "Cotabato Sanitarium and General Hospital Community Volunteers Blood Service" initiative, emphasizing the role of community participation in strengthening regional blood supply.

MP Teng stressed the importance of blood donation, noting that "Usually, we only think of blood when we face emergencies, such as accidents or medical conditions like dengue. It is important that we discern, understand and promote blood donation in our communities because it benefits us all."

The drive screened 30 individuals, with seven successfully donating blood. Due to this turnout, village official recommended the conduct of another mobile donation drive in the island. They will emphasize that it is better to donate blood even without any emergency. The blood they will donate will save life.

This campaign, which began in Buldon, has now extended to the Municipality of Parang, aiming to reach various towns in Maguindanao del Norte. To maximize community engagement, blood awareness forums were conducted prior to each drive, informing and encouraging local residents to participate. The initiative's goal is to improve the regional blood supply and create a culture of voluntary blood donation, improving local healthcare facilities' capacity to serve their communities.

A US Marine Special Operations Team also joined the mobile blood donation drive by distributing toys, bags with notebooks, t-shirts, shorts, and Crocs slippers to approximately 500 schoolchildren at Biruar Elementary School.

They also treated the children to burgers, juice, and popcorn.