Lawyer assumes post as new BTA member

COTABATO CITY –– An experienced executive of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has assumed the post as member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim government of the Bangsamoro region.

President Duterte appointed Maranao lawyer Rasol Mitmug Jr., last Sept. 6. Mitmug took his oath before the President on Sept. 17.

Late last week, Mitmug entered his appearance before the BTA as its newest member, bringing to only two seats the vacancy in the 80-member interim body that will hold office until mid-2022, when the duly elected members assume office.

Before his appointment as BTA member, Mitmug, a native of Lumba Bayabao, Lanao del Sur, held many posts in the ARMM.

He served as ARMM’s last secretary of education before it was deemed dissolved with the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law last January.

Mitmug was also speaker of the 7th Regional Legislative Assembly; deputy executive secretary of the regional governor; chief of staff to former ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman; acting secretary of the region’s social welfare and development department; and officer-in-charge of the regional Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Before his ARMM stint, Mitmug was a consultant for ARMM in the office of Senator Teofisto Guingona III.

He was deputy executive director of the nongovernment Mindanao Human Rights Action Center before joining the government.

Mitmug thanked Duterte for the opportunity to serve the Bangsamoro region.

The BTA meets every Wednesday to Friday of the third and fourth weeks of the month./lzb