Senate, House ok resolution supporting Bangsamoro framework agreement

The Senate has approved on Wednesday night a resolution expressing support of the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), including the creation of a transition commission tasked to draft the proposed Bangsamoro basic law that will be submitted to Congress for enactment.

Sen. Teofisto 'TG" Guingona III, who introduced Resolution No. 922, said the framework agreement entered into by the government and the MILF is crucial in the attainment of lasting peace and economic development in the region. All senators were later made co-authors of the resolution.

"The signing of the agreement has inspired optimism and hope that a just framework for peace in the Muslim Mindanao region, through a partnership with the Bangsamoro, has been achieved," Guingona said in his resolution.

A similar resolution was passed by the House of Representatives yesterday. House Resolution No. 971 expressed the Chamber's "support of the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and its implementation, including the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission."

The House resolution also acknowledged the work of the government and the MILF which "are both invested in problem solving with the view of establishing a just and working autonomy for the Bangsamoro people."

The Senate resolution said the framework calls for the creation of a new political entity called the Bangsanmoro, and through the Bangsamoro Basic Law, will replace the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

According to the resolution, the framework provides for the empowerment of the Bangsamoro people by "creating the space for their meaningful participation in the process of enacting the Bangsamoro Islamic Law through the creation of the Transition Commission."

President Benigno Aquino III had signed Executive Order 210 last December 17, creating the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. Under the EO, the President will appoint 15 members to the commission from a list made by the government and the MILF. All candidates will be from the Bangsamoro and other residents in the region.

"Partnership and mutual recognition among our peoples are crucial in the process of nation-building by providing spaces for our diverse cultures and traditions under one sovereign Philippine Republic," Guingona said.

He said the administration's objective to reconstruct conflict-affected areas and to expedite socio-development in the region will be realized by the empowerment of the Bangsamoro through a meaningful participation in transforming and developing their own communities. (PILAR MACROHON, PRIB)