DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/11 September 2014) — Among the country’s 17 regions, the future Bangsamoro, targeted to be set up by June 30, 2016, will be distinct from all the rest — including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that it will replace — because it will be the only region in the country that will run a government through parliamentary means.
The Bangsamoro will also be the only region with an “asymmetric relationship” with the Central or national Government, “reflective of the recognition of their Bangsamoro identity, and their aspiration for self governance” and in accordance with the Constitutional provisions on the creation of autonomous regions.
According to the 119-page draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) submitted to Congress on Wednesday morning, the powers of government are vested in the Bangsamoro Parliament which shall set policies, legislate on matters within its authority and elect a Chief Minister who shall exercise executive authority on its behalf.
The legislative authority shall be exercised by the Bangsamoro Parliament, the executive authority by the Cabinet which shall be headed by a Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister, who shall be elected by a majority vote of the Members of Parliament (MPs), appoints the Deputy Minister from among the MPs, and the members of the Cabinet, majority of whom shall also come from the Parliament.[]/a> with |||
The Malacanang-reviewed draft in June 2014 recommended to change the amount to 500 million pesos.
In the final draft submitted to Congress, the amount was pegged at one billion pesos or 1/20th of the BTC-proposed amount.
In addition, the final draft law provides that the current year’s appropriations for the ARMM is to be transferred to the BTA and supplemental budget “may be appropriated by Congress to support the transition.
” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
