Bangsamoro basic laws being drafted

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has issued an executive order (EO) constituting the Transition Commission that will draft the proposed Bangsamoro basic law as provided in the framework agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), China's Xinhua news agency quoted a senior government official as saying on Tuesday.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said Aquino signed the EO on Dec 17 as part of his administration's commitment to exert all efforts toward realising the full implementation of the agreement with the Muslim rebel group.

"The Commission shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the President in accordance with the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB)," the EO said.

The FAB, which was signed on Oct 15, provides that eight of the members of the Transition Commission will be nominated by the MILF and seven by the government.

Aside from drafting the basic law, other functions of the Commission include recommending to Congress or to the people, whenever necessary, proposed amendments to the 1987 Philippine Constitution and helping in identifying and coordinating development programs in the proposed Bangsamoro entity in conjunction with the MILF Bangsamoro Development Agency; and the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute, among others.

The President has earmarked 100 million peso (RM7,439,241) as the Commission's initial fund.

"The Commission shall cease to operate upon the enactment by Congress of the Bangsamoro Basic Law," the EO said.