Noy issues EO creating Bangsamoro transition body

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday created, through Executive Order No. 120, the Transition Commission (TC) that will draft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law based on the Framework Agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said EO 120 is a presidential initiative that affirmed Aquino’s resolve to push forward the government’s peace talks with the MILF.

The TC will oversee the setting up, through a Bangsamoro Basic Law, of a new autonomous political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Deles said EO 120 also provides for a mechanism for authentic democratic collaboration in the crafting of a proposed law with the participation of the stakeholders to the Mindanao peace process.

The EO also creates a 15-member TC that will be appointed by the President.

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) shall come up with a list of candidates for the membership to the TC. Those who would become candidates should be from among the Bangsamoro sectors and other residents in the prospective core area of the new political entity.

The TC shall put up an office and coordinate with other government agencies and Congress to get its work done, according to Deles.

The government has allocated an initial budget of P100 million for the TC’s operation.

The TC, according to EO 120, may also recommend to Congress, when necessary, proposed amendments to the Constitution to hasten the peace process.

"The aim is to install the Bangsamoro through a new organic act as soon as possible in order to have an elected Bangsamoro government by 2016,” government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said.

“This does not prevent the TC or its members from examining the constitution and recommending constitutional reforms.” she added.

“However, the President has made clear that constitutional change is not his priority during his term," Ferrer added.

Deles said that the TC shall also assist in identifying development programs together with the MILF led Bangsamoro Development Authority and the group’s Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute.

Deles said the TC can start with its work even as the GPH and the MILF negotiating panels are still trying to complete the four annexes to the FAB.