Mangudadatu recommends 3 Maguindanaon lawyers to Bangsamoro Transition Committee

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 28): Mangudadatu recommends 3 Maguindanaon lawyers to Bangsamoro Transition Committee

Maguindanao Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu has recommended three noted Maguindanaons to form part of the 15-man Transition Commission that will draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law. In an interview, Mangudadatu said he had asked the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to include Maguindanaon lawyers Didagen Dilangalen, Suharto Ambolodto, Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Simeon Datumanong to the 15 man TransCom President Aquino is set to appoint. Eight of the 15 members of TransCom will come from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Dilangalen was former congressional representative of the first district of Maguindanao while Ambolodto was active as leader of non government organizations helping push for the peace process between the government and the MILF. “We give our all out support to the recommendation of Gov. Mangudadatu for the three of them to become members of TransCom,” Mayor Ibrahim Ibay of Parang town, said. Ibay said Dilangalen, Datumanong and Ambolodto can all speak well of the intricacies of the Mindanao Moro issue.

According to Ibay, Datumanong's experience as lawmaker and Muslim leader is beyond doubt. Datumanong has been a public servant since 1960s. He helped craft the 1976 Tripoli AGreement between the Marcos government and the Moro National LIberation Front which wassigned in Libyan capital of Tripoli.

Mayor Ramil Dilangalen of Northern Kabuntalan and president of Maguindanao Mayor's league, welcomed Mangudadatu's recomendees saying the province, being the hotbed of rebellion should have enough representation in the Commission.

Mangudadatu said he has “set aside” politics in recommending the three Maguindanaon lawyers to become members of the newly-created TransCom. The MILF is expected to name its eight nominees to the TransCom next week. President Aquino issued Executive Order 120 creating the Transition Commission that will draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will serve as basis for the creation of new autonomous political entity and replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

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