Members of Bangsamoro transition commission named

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has appointed seven of the 15 members of the Transition Commission tasked to draft the Bangsamoro basic law, a spokesman said on Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the President appointed on the part of the government panel Akmad Sakkam, Johaira Wahab, Talib Benito, Asani Tammang, Pedrito Eisma,  Froilyn Mendoza, and Fatmawati Salapuddin.

"The appointment of these individuals who represent vital Bangsamoro constituencies and have proven their commitment to pursuing amity and goodwill in Muslim Mindanao is a key step on the roadmap to the creation of the Bangsamoro autonomous political entity," Lacierda said.

On the part of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, selected were Mohagher Iqbal, who is the chairman of the Transition Commission; Robert Alonto, Abdulla Camlian, Ibrahim Ali, Raissa Jajurie, Melanio Ulama, Hussein Munoz and Said Shiek.

Under the Executive order 120, the President will choose seven of the 15-member panel of the Transition Commission while the MILF will select eight, including its chairman.

Lacierda said the presidential appointees of the government panel underwent thorough screening and evaluation by a Transition Commission selection body, composed of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, and the Secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Mehol Sadain.

Among the qualification requirements considered by the body for each appointee include: a Bangsamoro, a track record in support of the peace process, established probity, and untainted by any charge or suspicion of corruption or abuse of power.

Lacierda said the government has allocated an initial P100 million for the Transition Commission.