Deputy Minister Eddie Mapag Alih, MILG

01/06/2026

Acceptance Speech of DM Eddie Mapag Alih
Distinguished Public Servant Leadership Award
Gawad Katangi-Tanging Lingkod Bayan
Delivered by his wife, Assoc. Prof. Cherry Tiu Budlong-Alih

Assalamu’alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you. Isang mapagpalang araw po sa ating lahat.

My husband, Deputy Minister Eddie Mapag Alih of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, humbly requested me to deliver his message on his behalf. He was truly looking forward to personally receiving this recognition, but he extends his sincere apologies for not being here tonight as he is currently in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, performing Hajj among the guests of Allah.

Tonight, he accepts the Gawad Katangi-Tanging Lingkod Bayan with deep gratitude and humility.

He wishes to thank the ASSETT of the Philippines, Inc., KAFAMPI, and M.E. Publications (President Doctor Cristobal, President Doctor Nucasa, and Miss Sarita,) who made this recognition possible.

For Deputy Minister Alih, public service has never been about titles or recognition. It has always been about responsibility, trust, and sincere service to the people. Leadership is not measured by position, but by the lives we uplift, the communities we empower, and the hope we inspire.

From his humble beginnings in Siasi, Sulu, to his work in education, peacebuilding, and governance, he has witnessed both the struggles and resilience of the Bangsamoro people. Their courage, perseverance, and enduring hope continue to inspire him to work for lasting peace, justice, and meaningful development.

He shares this award with his family, whose love and support strengthened him through every challenge; with his colleagues and fellow public servants who continue to work for the common good; and with the countless communities they serve, whose trust remains the greatest source of inspiration.

He also dedicates this recognition to the Bangsamoro people, whose pursuit of peace and self-determination reminds us that true progress is achieved when leadership is rooted in integrity, compassion, and unity.

Deputy Minister Alih often says:

“When you share yourself with others, life begins to find its meaning. The moment you touch the lives of others is the moment you truly live.”

May this recognition inspire all of us to continue becoming instruments of peace, development, and positive change for our communities and our nation.

Maraming salamat po,
Agyaman ak,
Magsukul,
Daghang salamat!

May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala continue to guide, bless, and strengthen us all.

Wa ba’du tawfiq wal hidayah.

Wassalamu’alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

31/05/2026

We commend the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the exceptional success of the 1447 Hajj Season! Alhamdulillah!☝️👏

Secretary-General Praises Outstanding Success of 1447 Season and Commends Exceptional Efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Serving the Pilgrims.

31/05/2026

31/05/2026

We are proud of you, Hon. Associate Justice Edilwasif Tapsiril Baddiri, Court of Appeals of the Philippines!

From the shores of Sulu to the halls of the Court of Appeals — 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗳 𝗧𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗶's story is one for the books.

Born on December 13, 1975, and a full-blooded 𝗧𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗴 from the Sulu Archipelago, Justice Baddiri didn't just climb the ladder of the Philippine legal system — he helped build a wider rung for the rest of us to follow.

His academic path alone is something to pause and appreciate. He earned his 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗼 𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟬, then went on to win a 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟰 — one of the most competitive academic grants in the country. That brought him to the 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗙. 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, where he completed his 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟲. Ateneo. Harvard. Fulbright. And he carried all of that back home — back to the Bangsamoro people.

Before the Court of Appeals, he served as a legislator in Sulu, gave pro bono legal counsel to indigent clients, championed human rights cases, and taught the Philippine Constitution to the next generation. He spent five years as a 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼𝘀, then entered the judiciary in 2015 as Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 115 in Pasay City, eventually rising to Executive Judge.

On February 24, 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed him 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀. He took his oath before Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo on April 11, 2025 — becoming the fifth Tausug jurist to ever sit on the appellate court.

Fifth. In the entire history of the Philippines.

And he's still going. As 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, he continues to push for Shari'ah court modernization and the deeper integration of Islamic legal tradition into the national justice system. As a key convener of the 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, he's investing in the generation that comes after him.

This is what Bangsamoro excellence looks like. Rooted in faith, sharpened by education, and devoted to justice for all. 🤲🏽

Read more: https://wiki.maranaw.com/index.php/Edilwasif_Tapsiril_Baddiri

29/05/2026

26/05/2026

𝐄𝐢𝐝’𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐡𝐚 𝐌𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨 𝐔𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝.

As we commemorate this sacred occasion of sacrifice, faith, and obedience to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, may the spirit of Eid’l Adha strengthen our commitment to compassion, unity, and service to one another.

While I continue to partake in this blessed Hajj journey in Makkah, the Bangsamoro people remain constantly in my thoughts and prayers. In every du’a, I pray for lasting peace in our homeland, for stronger and more resilient communities, for the well-being of every Bangsamoro family, and for a future guided by justice, harmony, and shared prosperity.

I also fervently include in my prayers our brothers and sisters in Palestine and all communities around the world experiencing hardship, oppression, and conflict. May Allah grant them protection, strength, relief from suffering, and a just and lasting peace.

Eid’l Adha reminds us of the profound lessons of sacrifice and devotion exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS)—that true faith is manifested through sincerity, humility, and our willingness to serve humanity for the sake of Allah.

May this blessed celebration inspire us to extend kindness to those in need, strengthen the bonds within our communities, and renew our collective hope for a peaceful and progressive Bangsamoro.

From Makkah, I extend my warmest greetings to all. May Allah accept our sacrifices, prayers, and good deeds, and may He continue to shower our people and our nation with His mercy and guidance.

Taqabbalallāhu minnā wa minkum ṣāliḥ al-a'māl!
— 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐡, 𝐏𝐡𝐃 (𝐡.𝐜.)
Deputy Minister
Ministry of the Interior and Local Government – BARMM

21/05/2026