From the Website of MILFArticle links: http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2335/if_simplified__bill_resetting_barmm_polls_to_2025_could_pass_senate_next_
COTABATO CITY- Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri
recommended simplifying Senate Bill 2214 to just changing the date of
the BARMM election from 2022 to 2025 as "it will be easier to stand the
issue of constitutionality if somebody challenges this in the Supreme
Court."
"I think, if it is just Section 1 of the bill (which refers
to only changing the date of the BARMM election), I believe we may even
pass this next week without any problems," Zubiri projected.
SB
2214 seeks to extend the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority
(BTA) and postpone the first BARMM regular elections from 2022 to 2025.
According
to Zubiri, Section 2 has sparked a lot of issues among various parties
lobbying for BTA positions. The number of new interim members of the BTA
was defined in Section 2 of the proposed bill.
Tolentino
agreed with the suggestions to change the proposed bill's provisions,
saying, "I do recognize the distractions, the ramifications of what was
embedded in Section 2. Definitely, I will follow the lead of the good
majority leader."
He reiterated that the
essence of the BTA is in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), and the
modification will not repeal the existing laws.
"We
can simplify, we can delete, we can dilute some items just to achieve
the same process and results. Peace for Bangsamoro," he said.
Meanwhile,
during the period of interpellation on Thursday, Senators discussed the
status of BTA's mandated duties, its participation in the normalization
process, and inclusivity for involved sectors in the BOL, among others.
Senator
Joel Villanueva said that his intention in asking questions is "to
ensure that the genuine autonomy and the upholding of democratic
processes we envision for the BARMM region will be protected."
Answering
Senator Villanueva's queries on the timeline and action plan of the BTA
for the next three years, Senator Tolentino said that it would depend
on the BTA's honest compliance and the "pressure" that the Senate can
exert.
"So the timeline will now depend on the Congress as imposed," he added.
The
Bangsamoro Parliament enacted three of the six important legislation
mandated in the BOL, the administrative code, civil service code, and
education code, while local government, electoral, and internal revenue
codes have yet to be passed.
Tolentino also
described the role of the BTA in the normalization process as "more
distant" relative to the role of the MILF. He explained, "It's the MILF
and the government of the Republic of the Philippines, with
international observers undertaking this normalization process."
He clarified as well the misconceptions that funds were directly downloaded to the BTA.
"The
normalization process, if I am not mistaken, involves the downloading
of funds, not directly to the BTA, but to various national government
agencies, you have the DSWD, you have I think the Department of Health,
Education. They are all involved," he explained.
Senator
Villanueva lauded the BTA for its effort in setting up the new
institution and for consistently striving to pursue peacebuilding.
Senators Zubiri and Tolentino also assured that a new set of BTA members would represent all sectors.
"I
can vouch for the integrity of our dear colleagues who is sponsoring
the measure, and as mentioned a while ago, again reiterating that the
two seats for each non-moro indigenous people and settler communities
retained po yan, one sectoral seat each for women, youth, traditional
leaders, and the Ulama retained po yan," Senator Villanueva said.
"Putting
on record that we all believe that we are all advocates for ensuring an
inclusive local representation. We most especially want those belonging
to marginalized communities to be able to participate in democratic
processes," he added.
The period of interpellation on SB 2214 will continue on Monday, May 31.
MILF Website
Article links:
_senate_next_week__says_senator_zubiri
BANGSAMORO FRAMEFORK
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/787-gph-to-grant-amnesty-to-milf-rebels
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/sites/default/files/House%20Bill%20No.%204994.pdf
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/resources/house-bill-no-4994
OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS WEBSITES
Human Rights Advocacy Promotions | Human Rights
http://www.humanrightspromotions.co.nr
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