MANILA: The Senate approved a resolution expressing support to the 2012 Bangsamoro framework agreement forged by the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf).
The agreement includes the creation of a transition commission tasked to draft the proposed Bangsamoro basic law that will be submitted to Congress for enactment.
Senator Teofisto Guingona III, who introduced Resolution No 922, said the framework agreement is crucial to the attainment of lasting peace and economic development in the region.
All senators were later made coauthors of the resolution.
“The signing of the agreement has inspired optimism and hope that a just framework for peace in the Muslim Mindanao region, through a partnership with the Bangsamoro, has been achieved,” Guingona said in his resolution.
The Senate resolution said the framework calls for the creation of a new political entity called the Bangsamoro, and through the Bangsamoro Basic Law, will replace the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
According to the resolution, the accord provides for the empowerment of the Bangsamoro people by “creating the space for their meaningful participation in the process of enacting the Bangsamoro Islamic Law through the creation of the Transition Commission.”
President Aquino signed Executive Order 210 last December 17, creating the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.
Under the EO, the President will appoint 15 members to the commission from a list drawn up by the government and the Milf. All candidates will be from the Bangsamoro and other residents in the region.
Guingona said the administration’s objective to reconstruct conflict-affected areas and to expedite socio-development in the region will be realised by the empowerment of the Bangsamoro through meaningful participation in transforming and developing their own communities.
The House of Representatives also passed a similar resolution under House Resolution No 971 that expressed the chamber’s “support of the 2012 framework agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Milf and its implementation, including the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.”
The House resolution also acknowledged the work of the government and the Milf, which “are both invested in problem solving with the view of establishing a just and working autonomy for the Bangsamoro people.”
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) welcomed the passage by the Senate and the House of Representatives of resolutions supporting EO 120 issued by Aquino creating the Transition Commission that will draft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
The resolution was introduced by Representatives Jesus Sacdalan of North Cotabato, Tupay Loong of Sulu, Simeon Datumanong of Maguindanao and Acmad Tomawis of Ang Laban ng Indiginong Filipino partylist.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles thanked the lawmakers for their firm support to the Mindanao peace process.
“The peace process is not just a work of those on the peace table, but a work of a nation unified by the goal of attaining a just and lasting peace,” Deles said.
“The Transition Commission will need a lot of goodwill and support from Congress,” government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said.
The Philippine star
