ARMM starts consultations on regional charter’s amendment

Mujiv Hataman. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The leadership of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Wednesday started a series of public consultations on proposals to amend the regional charter in a bid to attune it to any peace agreement that the government may sign with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Speaker Rasol Mitmug Jr. of the ARMM’s Regional Legislative Assembly said the public consultations started in Maguindanao.

He said that during the consultations, the RLA would solicit comments and suggestions from residents on what provisions of RA 9054, otherwise known as the Expanded Autonomy Act of 2001, would be amended.

Mujiv Hataman, the ARMM’s acting governor, said he supported the consultative process as “an independent move by the legislative body to get the sentiments and aspirations of the people.”

RLA minority floor leader Khaddafeh Mangudadatu of Maguindanao said the consultations would not only involve Moros but the region’s indigenous peoples (IP) and Christian communities as well.

He said involving all stakeholders will strengthen the autonomy and any peace agreement that the government will sign with the MILF.

Assemblyman Romeo Sema, RLA’s majority floor leader, described RA 9054 as a charter that “fell short” of the Moro people’s aspirations.

“It is about time to amend that law for the Moro people to fully exercise their right to self-determination,” he said.

Mitmug said some of the measures that the current RLA will recommend to Congress, after the consultations, is the proposed creation of a Regional Security Force, Recognition of Tribal Courts, and the formation of a human rights body.

He said after the Maguindanao leg, consultations will also be held in the other ARMM provinces— Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.