Cotabato City – April 10, 2025
While many took the national holiday as a time to rest, one public servant chose to spend it with the people he serves.
Member of Parliament Abdulbasit R. Benito, MPSA spent April 9—despite it being a non-working holiday—engaging directly with his constituents through a series of consultations in his sectors. His decision to do so came just a day after the ceremonial opening of the Fourth Regular Session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, where Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua called on lawmakers to strengthen their ties with the grassroots.
“We must bring the government closer to our people. Let our actions speak louder than words,” Chief Minister Macacua urged in his speech on April 8.
MP Benito took that message to heart.
“I couldn’t just sit and wait,” he shared during one of the meetings. “Our people’s concerns don’t take holidays, so neither should we.”
With a warm and grounded approach, MP Benito sat down with residents—listening, asking, and promising to carry their voices into the halls of Parliament. The conversations touched on real, day-to-day challenges: how to access better education, find sustainable livelihoods, and maintain peace in their communities.
For many of those who attended, the gesture was more than just symbolic.
“It's not every day that a government official chooses to be with us on a holiday,” one participant said. “It means a lot that he made time.”
“It's not every day that a government official chooses to be with us on a holiday,” one participant said. “It means a lot that he made time.”
As the Bangsamoro government enters a crucial phase in its transition, actions like Benito’s remind the public that genuine leadership is not bound by schedules—it’s rooted in presence, humility, and heart.