Pangalian Balindong

Ali Pangalian Macaorao Balindong (January 1, 1940 – October 2, 2025) was a Filipino lawyer and politician. He was the speaker of the Bangsamoro Parliament from 2019 until his death in 2025. Balindong was also a deputy speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the 1971 Philippine Constitutional Convention.^[1][2]

Early life and education

Pangalian Balindong was born on January 1, 1940, in Lanao (modern-day Dapao in Pualas, Lanao del Sur) to an influential clan. He was the eldest son of Sultan Amer Macaorao Balindong, a former mayor of Malabang, and Maimona Marohom.^[1]

Career

Balindong engaged in private legal practice and served as legal counsel for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which works for peace initiatives with the government. In 1971, he joined the Philippine Constitutional Convention representing the Lone District of Lanao del Sur.^[1]

ARMM assemblyman

Balindong started his political career when he held the post of Assemblyman from 1990 to 1993 representing the 2nd District of Lanao del Sur and was elected as Speaker of the Regional Legislative Assemblyman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) between 1991 and 1993.^[1]

House of Representatives

Balindong was a member of the House of Representatives with Lanao del Sur's 2nd district as his constituency. He ran in the 1987 elections but lost to Mohammad Ali Dimaporo.^[1]

Consultative Committee

In 2018, under Executive Order No. 10, Balindong was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as a member of the 25-member Consultative Committee to Review the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a committee composed of former government officials, veteran lawyers, and academicians tasked by Duterte to craft a federal constitution.^[1]

Bangsamoro Parliament

Balindong became part of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, which forms part of the interim Bangsamoro Parliament, in 2019. On March 29, 2025, Balindong was elected as parliament speaker having been nominated by Mohagher Iqbal. He was releelected in September 2022.^[1]

Personal life and death

Balindong was a Maranao. He married Jamela Malawani Alonto on April 28, 1968, with whom he had eight children. He was a member of the Mu Kappa Phi Exclusive Law Fraternity.^[1]