DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/16 September) – Several people seeking government positions in the newly established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have approached Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. For her endorsement.
But in a statement on Sunday, Carpio, daughter of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, denied she’s involved in selecting the individuals who will occupy three positions in the BARMM.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. MindaNews file photo
“Several people have approached my office to request endorsements mainly due to rumors circulating that I have been given a hand in the selection of three posts for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” she said.
Carpio said her authority only covers the city and does not extend to BARMM.
“I categorically deny this and wish to reiterate that my authority is only within the area of Davao City as mandated by the Local Government Code. The denial is true for the appointment of all other national government positions,” she said.
BARMM was established after the ratification of Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the enabling mechanism of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, early this year after two decades of peace negotiations.
The 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority will govern BARMM, which replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, until the holding of regular elections in 2022.
The creation of BARMM sparked hopes that it would unleash the economic potential of the Bangsamoro territory.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the gross regional domestic product of the BARMM in 2018 was 7.2%, the second strongest next to Davao Region’s 8.6%.
Also, the BARMM’s output, although lower compared to the 2017 record of 7.5%, was the fourth-highest in the country. Bicol registered the highest at 8.9% and Caraga the lowest at 3.2%.. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
