SOFITEL, PASAY CITY — The Philippine Congress – Bangsamoro Parliament Forum convened for the first time here on Tuesday, marking another milestone in the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

The meeting was led by Inter-Governmental Relations Body (IGRB) co-chairs, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)  Minister of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education Mohagher Iqbal.

The Philippine Congress was represented by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, Senators, and members of the House of Representatives were also in attendance.

Strengthening national, BARMM government ties

Sec. 3, Art. VI of the BOL mandates the establishment of the Philippine Congress – Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBPF) to strengthen the cooperation and coordination of legislative initiatives between the national and Bangsamoro governments.

According to Pangandaman, the establishment of the BARMM is a “historic win for the whole country,” as she pointed out that the national budget was crafted in line with the President’s agenda for prosperity.

The said agenda, she explained, embodies the national government’s medium-term fiscal framework and the eight-point socio-economic agenda, which became the roadmap for economic transformation of the region.

“This is why on our end, following the President’s agenda for prosperity, we will do all that we can and endeavor to convince all the mechanisms to support the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and ensure the success of BARMM,” Pangandaman said.

To create the conditions to bring peace and sustained socio-economic development in the region, the BARMM was recently appropriated Php 64.8 billion from the proposed 2023 national budget, Php 5 billion for a Special Development Fund for the rebuilding, rehabilitation and development of the conflict-affected ethnic communities in the region, and Php 4.6 billion in taxes, fees and charges.

“We recognize that the efficient release of funds means more development projects to be implemented for the people and government of BARMM,” Pangandaman added.

For his part, Senate President Miguel Zubiri said the PCBPF has the Senate’s full support in “developing an effective and productive partnership” between the Senate and the Bangsamoro Parliament which will serve as a “concrete roadmap to inclusive and progressive legislation for the region.”

“Still in its growing stages and there remains a lot of work [to do] for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority which will form the foundation of the Bangsamoro government,” he said.

“To enable the smooth and efficient delivery of government services, [and] serve the people, we have to work hard on this particular Electoral Code because we don’t think we can extend any longer the Transition Authority, the people would like to vote for the representatives and members they wanted to,’’ Zubiri added.

To recall, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., in his speech last August 12 during the inauguration of the 80-member BTA, vowed to fully support the legislative body until it completes all of its deliverables by June 30, 2025.

The president, however, emphasized that there will be no more extension of the BTA’s transition period, with the first election of the Bangsamoro Parliament to be held in May 2025.

Meanwhile, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez also threw the full support of Congress behind the BARMM, as he lauded the IGRB for its efforts to finally convene the PCBPF.

“The allocation of 4.4 billion for BARMM in the Block Grant under the Special Development Plan[’s] share in national taxes collected is to ensure that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority will be able to deliver on its commitments,” Romualdez said.

“The House of Representatives [is set] to see additional funding for BARMM to cover the cost of repair and rehabilitation in areas affected by the severe tropical typhoon particularly in Maguindanao and Cotabato,” he added.

 

Sustaining peace gains, addressing issues in the BARMM

The PCBPF is expected to play a crucial role in sustaining the gains of the Bangsamoro process.

In particular, the body will ensure that the legislative initiatives at the national and the regional levels are harmonized, as it will serve as the appropriate mechanism to address IGR-related issues that require legislative action from both parties.

For Senator Loren Legarda, the expertise of the Senate’s members could help bring more “multilateral support from agencies globally.”

“There is no reason for our 36,000 sq. km of 4.2 million Filipinos in this beautiful historic resource which [is the] region of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao not to be progressive, successful, peaceful, orderly and sustainable,” expressed Legarda.

According to BARMM Minister of Basic, Higher and Technical Education Mohagher Iqbal, the PCBPF’s future accomplishments will serve as a crucial blueprint for socio-economic development and transformation in the BARMM.

For his part, BARMM Speaker of Parliament Ali Pangalian Balindong, said the PCBPF’ “will put to fruition the many initiatives endeavored to be put into motion.”

Some of the legislative issues and concerns discussed during the PCBPF’s maiden meeting were:

  • The Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s remaining priority codes, which need to be passed which include the Administrative Code, Revenue Code, Electoral Code, Local  Government Code, and Education Code;
  • The laws enacted to upgrade hospitals in BARMM;
  • The possibility of extending the deadline for Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members who wish to apply for amnesty; and
  • The qualification of Shari’ah circuit court judges; and Future plans for the continued cooperation of the Philippine Congress and the Bangsamoro Parliament

To address these concerns, the PCPBF recommended the creation of Technical Working Groups.

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito G. Galvez Jr. described the PCPBF’s first meeting as a “gift” given by House Speaker Romualdez as it signifies Congress’ steadfast commitment [and] unwavering support to the Bangsamoro peace process. The good Speaker celebrated his 59th Birthday on Nov 14, 2022.

“Here formally launched this body, we believe that this will be the beginning of a strong inclusive and productive partnership between the Philippine congress and the Bangsamoro parliament in uplifting the lives of our Bangsamoro people under the Marcos administration,” Galvez said.

The PCBPF, he said, will provide the platform wherein the Philippine Congress can guide the Bangsamoro parliament in formulating the necessary legislative measures that will bring sustainable economic development and progress in the region.

More importantly, Galvez said the body shall be able to help strengthen the “jointness” between the national and BARMM governments.

The peace adviser also reaffirmed the national government’s strong commitment “to help build a better, brighter and more peaceful future for Bangsamoro.”

Also present during the meeting were PCBPF members Senators Loren Legarda, Francis Tolentino, and Robinhood Padilla; House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe; House Committee on Ways and Means Chair Joey Salceda; Representatives Rex Gatchalian, Yasser Alonto Balindong, Mercedes Alvarez, and Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr.; BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrajim Al Haj, as well as BARMM deputy speakers, deputy leaders, and other Members of Parliament. ###