Aquino extends Bangsamoro Transition Commission

From Rappler (Aug 30): Aquino extends Bangsamoro Transition Commission

The new executive order allows the commission to function until the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law



In this file photo, President Benigno S. Aquino lll witnesses the hand over of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law by Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chairman Mohagher Iqbal and Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles to Speaker of the House Feliciano Belmonte and Senate President Franklin Drilon during the turnover ceremony at Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace, September 10, 2014. Photo by Rey Baniquet/NIB/Malacañang Photo Bureau

President Benigno Aquino III signed Executive Order 187 amending the Executive Order No. 120, which formed the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).

Earlier signed in December 2012, Executive Order 120 established the 15-member transition commission that is tasked to lead the transition toward a Bangsamoro political identity.

The BTC is currently composed of 8 nominees from the MILF and 7 member nominated by the government.

EO 187 states an additional clause which allows the drafting and preparation of a “Code of Parliamentary Procedures for the Future Bangsamoro Parliament and a Bangsamoro Administrative Code for the consideration of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority."

The EO 187 also expands the duration of the commission.

From the original clause which states that the commission shall cease to operate upon the enactment of Congress, the new executive order allows the commission to function until the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The BBL was initially targeted to be passed by March this year, but a clash between elite police and Moro rebels in January hampered the peace process.

The original version of the BBL aims to establish an autonomous political entity to end almost four decades of conflict and poverty in Mindanao. The government and the MILF agreed on the passage of the law under a historic deal signed in March 2014.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/104195-aquino-eo-duration-bangsamoro-transition-commission