DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 21 February)—The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament has approved a resolution Wednesday supporting a charter change proposal aimed at strengthening the autonomous region by enshrining its powers in the next constitution “and not merely a subject of legislative act.”
Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Ali Pangalian Balindong delivering his privilege speech. Photo courtesy of the Bangsamoro Speaker’s Office
Before the BTA Parliament’s passing of Resolution No. 521 (Expressing the Sense of the Parliament Supporting Charter Change to Resolve Constitutional Issues in the Implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro that Necessitates Amendment of the 1987 Constitution), Speaker Ali Pangalian Balindong said in his privilege speech that there is an urgent need to institutionalize the present form of the autonomous government in the proposed revision in the Constitution.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was formally created with the passage of Republic Act 11054 (or what is known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law) in 2018.
“It is our duty to ensure that our gains in the peace process are cemented in the proposed [constitutional] changes, and not merely a subject of legislative act,” said the Speaker during the Second BTA Parliament Session No. 55 streamed live online.
Balindong lamented that “the fate of the Bangsamoro people depends on the whims and caprices” of the national leadership.
“We make concessions, haggle for a better deal, and literally dance to the tune of their own music simply because they have the power to make or unmake our autonomous government. We cannot forever rely on such executive and legislative liberality or generosity,” he said.
Balindong said he would like to see in the next constitution, among others, the “clear share of the Bangsamoro in the utilization of national wealth and resources” in the region, as well as the “clearly delineated powers and authorities of the autonomous government that will avoid potential conflict with those of the national government.”
“Such inclusion will ensure the continuity of our plans and programs to achieve genuine peace and development for our people and homeland. Further, it will avoid unnecessary and lengthy political calisthenics with the national leadership before we are granted rights and privileges that are, in the first place, rightfully ours,” according to the former congressional representative from Lanao del Sur. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)
