Twitter
Google+
RSS Feed
Contact Us
|
MANILA, Philippines — Fulfilling his promise of a higher budget for Mindanao, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he will sign the proposed Bangsamoro Organic Law.
During his third State of the Nation Address, the president asked for two days to sign the landmark measure, which the House of Representatives failed to ratify before adjourning its session Monday morning.
"When the approved version is transmitted and received by my own office, the law has been passed actually, and I intend to give me 48 hours to sign it and ratify the law," Duterte said in his speech.
The passage of the BOL, originally called the Bangsamoro Basic Law, would make available funds which have always been allotted to "Imperial Manila," as he said Mindanaons refer to the capital.
The president lamented how national projects in Metro Manila have been funded, "leaving a pittance to Mindanao."
"Mindanao was dubbed as the land of promise and Mindanaoans say in the region that is so because what it got from the government through the years of promises, promises and more promises," he said.
Duterte made a commitment to the Filipino Muslim community that they will see the "promise of Mindanao" before his term ends.
"Despite all that has been said, or against the Bangsamoro Organic Law by all sectoral groups, I make this solemn commitment that this administration will never deny our Muslim brothers and sisters the basic legal tools to chart their own destiny within the constitutional framework of our country," the president said.
While the Senate ratified the proposed BOL, the House of Representatives failed to do so as it abruptly ended its session amid a looming change in leadership.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the failure of the House to ratify the bill was a "temporary setback."
"We, however, remain confident that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will sign the Bangsamoro Organic Law as soon as both houses of Congress finally ratify the bill," Roque said.
Mujiv Hataman, regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said he is confident there will be no interruption of reforms and government services during a transition to a proposed Bangsamoro region that will replace the ARMM.
He added regional officials will meet on a potential transition that will happen if the Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed.
"I want them to know that I started from a problematic regional government. Ayaw ko maranasan nila (Bangsamoro Transition Authority) ) ang naranasan ko noong nag-transition ako," Hataman, who was caretaker governor from 2011 to 2013, said. He was elected regional governor in 2013 and again in 2016.
President Rodrigo Duterte will visit the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Friday, the ARMM's Bureau of Public Information says.
The bureau says the president will visit to support ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law at the plebiscite next week.
"Thousands of pro-BOL supporters and ARMM employees are expected to attend the peace rally to be held here jointly organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front," the bureau also says.
Palace declares Jan. 21 a special non-working day in ARMM, Isabela City and Cotabato City for the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite | @alexisbromero pic.twitter.com/sCSX647agQ
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) January 17, 2019
Religious freedom will not be affected by ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which is up for ratification at a plebiscite on Monday, a provincial governor campaigning for a "Yes" vote for the law.
"It is very clear too that the BOL has provisions assuring Christians and indigenous non-Muslim communities of ample representation in the BARMM government. So what is there to fear about? Let’s vote for its ratification," Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu says.
The statement was in response to apprehension by some that non-Muslims would be subjected to Sharia laws under the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
In December, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman also countered rumors that ratification would lead to a ban on fiestas and on pork.
"It’s not true that the Christians’ practices such as fiesta and eating pork will be prohibited. ARMM has been there for many years and fiestas have not been prohibited. You go to Wao, Lanao del Sur, and Lamitan City, Basilan City where fiesta and faith are equally respected," Hataman said.
Ballots for the January 21 plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law have already been printed out, the Commission on Elections says.
The January 21 is for areas in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that are considered part of the core territory of proposed Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao.
.@COMELEC says printing of 1.2M ballots for Jan. 21 BOL plebiscite completed; printing of 600,000 ballots for Feb. 6 plebiscite ongoing. (via @PhilippineStar / @shecrisostomo)
— ONE News PH (@onenewsph) January 14, 2019
A February 6 plebiscite will also be held in other areas.
The Supreme Court consolidates the petitions of the Philippines Consitution Association (PHILCONSA) with the earlier petition filed by province of Sulu questioning the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
The court also requires respondents, both the executive and legislative branches of government, to file their comment on the petitions within ten days.
SC en banc gives Executive and Legislative branches to comment on petitions vs Bangsamoro Organic Law. No TRO issued yet. @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/fgw3BKKWk5
— Kristine Patag (@kristinepatag) January 8, 2019
"The Comelec has scheduled the plebiscite on the 21st, since there is no TRO at the moment, the plebiscite can proceed," Court Administrator Midas Marquez says at a briefing.
- Latest
- Trending
