MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 1, 2014) – President Benigno Aquino has urged the Bangsamoro Transition Commission to draw up soonest the Bangsamoro Basic Law draft so it can be ratified and implemented in time for the 2016 elections.
Aquino, who met with members of the BTC at the Presidential Palace, stressed the need for the BTC to be transparent and to reach out to all sectors concerned, including those initially resisting the new political entity.
Presidential adviser Teresita Deles also said that Aquino urged the BTC to fast-track the completion of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law to ensure its passage and ratification with enough time to complete the transition tasks in time for the elections.
She said Aquino assured the commission of the national government’s full technical and political support, guidance and advice, as well as budget, and told them he would give as much of his own time as necessary.
She described the atmosphere of the BTC meeting with Aquino as “warm and relaxed,” where the members updated the President on the work they have been doing and the concerns they are facing.
BTC was created in December 2012 to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will pave the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro region in 2016.
It has 15 members appointed by the President, eight of whom were recommended by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and seven were recommended by the government.
Peace negotiators have recently signed an annex that would pave the way for a comprehensive peace pact.
Deles said the Bangsamoro Basic Law draft is likely to be certified as an urgent bill by Aquino. It would then be submitted to Congress for passage, and subjected to a plebiscite in the areas envisioned to be the new political entity’s core territory.
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