Diane Hora | iMINDSPH
Cotabato City —The Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament approved Resolution No. 521 during its second regular session on Wednesday.
The resolution expresses the BTA's support for amending the 1987 Constitution to address constitutional issues hindering the implementation and realization of the Bangsamoro Peace Agreement.
Emphasized in the approved resolution is the proposal that, while the focus is primarily on amending economic provisions in pushing for charter change, the BTA Parliament suggests that including specific peace provisions to resolve the asymmetrical relationship between the national government and the Bangsamoro is also essential.
According to the resolution, since the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2014 and the enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, many provisions in the peace accord remain unimplemented due to constitutional issues.
Lawmakers in the BARMM see the proposed charter change as an opportunity for the Bangsamoro to address peace agreement issues requiring a constitutional amendment, such as the power-sharing agreement, shari’ah justice system, policing in the Bangsamoro, supervision, and control over its local government units, delineation of powers of the Constitutional bodies vis-a-vis the regional government, and qualifications of the Chief Minister.
“I would like to see the term “asymmetric relations” included in the constitution, which concerns our relationship with the national government as defined in the present Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and grants us distinctive powers that are not available to other political subdivisions in the country. In short, I would like to see the barest minimum expanded powers of the regional government in the BOL reflected in the new constitutional franchise. Such inclusion will ensure the continuity of our plans and programs to achieve genuine peace and development for our people and homeland, “said BTA Speaker Pangalian Balindong in his privilege speech.
The BTA Parliament also encourages all stakeholders, civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, and other sectors to participate in consultations and dialogues to strengthen support for the charter change.
"We cannot afford to remain shackled by the limitations of the past. We must seize this moment, this opportunity, to chart a new course for our people, one that is grounded in justice, equality, and respect for your inherent rights. Charter Change is not merely a technical exercise; it is a moral imperative. It is a declaration of our unwavering commitment to peace, justice, and reconciliation," Member of Parliament Baileng Mantawil stated.
The BTA is set to provide copies of the resolution to the Office of the President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House.
The principal authors of the resolution are Member of Parliament and Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, MP and MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal, and BTA Speaker Pangalian Balindong.
Meanwhile, the co-authors include MP Atty. Mary Ann Arnado, MP Baileng Mantawil, MP Atty. Sha-Elijah Dumama-Alba, MP Jameel Macacua, MP Atty. Lanang Ali Jr., MP Engr. Aida Silongan, MP Marjanie Macasalong, MP Eddie Alih, MP Suharto Esmael, and MP Abdullah Hashim.
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