Aquino extends Bangsamoro Transition Commission

President Benigno Aquino III
RICHARD A. REYES/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

President Benigno Aquino III has extended the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission to address the gap between the enactment and ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

In executive order (EO) No. 187 signed last August 20, Aquino amended provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (EO No. 120) which initially stated that the Bangsamoro Transition Commission will cease to operate upon the Congress’ enactment of the BBL.

Under the new order, the commission will now cease to operate “upon the ratification of the BBL in a plebiscite called for such purpose.”

“There is a need to further strengthen and expand the functions of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission to address this foreseen gap during the intervening period between the enactment and ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” the order read.

If the commission will cease to operate upon BBL’s enactment, the order said it would not be able to address the gap in the intervening period between the enactment and ratification.

“Extending the duration of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission until such time that the Bangsamoro Basic Law is ratified, and vesting additional functions in such Commission, can better facilitate an efficient transition upon the ratification of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law,” it added.

The BBL, which is being pushed by the administration to seal a peace agreement with the Moto Islamic Liberation Front, seeks to create a new Bangsamoro entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Yuji Vincent Gonzales