Duterte expands membership of Bangsamoro Transition Commission

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday signed an executive order establishing a new Bangsamoro Transition Commission to replace the original 15-member panel tasked with drafting the legal foundation of the future of Bangsamoro government in Mindanao.

From only 15 members, the BTC will be expanded to 21 members.

Under the EO, 11 members of the BTC will come from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front while 10 will be nominated by the government.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza said the BTC will seek input on the proposed Bangsamoro bill from all sectors.

WATCH: Duterte signing EO expanding membership of Bangsamoro Transition Commission @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/b5qmIELNh8

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Duterte, through the EO, also directed that the provisions in the 1996 agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the MILF to that have yet to be implemented consolidated into one enabling law.

Irene Santiago, chair of the government implementing panel, said the BTC is expected to submit the draft legislation to Congress by mid-2017.

The signing of the EO was witnessed by Dureza, Santiago, MILF chair Al Haj Ebrahim Murad and members of the MILF Central Committee; MILF Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal; House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.