Carlito Galvez: ‘MNLF has equitable representation in Bangsamoro Transition Authority’

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have equitable representation in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), presidential adviser on the peace process Carlito Galvez Jr. said yesterday.

“As I have always emphasized, bringing about necessary reforms to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) depends not on the number of representatives per sector or grouping, but on the effectiveness, efficiency and sincerity of each member of the BTA,” Galvez said.

Galvez issued his statement following reported complaints from representatives that only 12 MNLF and affiliates have made it to the 80-member BTA sworn into office by President Duterte last Friday.

An official of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unification (PAPRU) clarified that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), as the lead front in the previous negotiation, was allotted 41 slots with chairman Alhadj Murad Ebrahim chosen as BTA chair, while the remaining 39 slots will be distributed among the MNLF, indigenous people, women, youth and local government.

The official said the 39 remaining slots do not mean they would be occupied solely by MNLF representatives. He also dismissed the issuance that the 39 slots to be fielded by the MNLF were not based on agreement but mere request.

Galvez said the BTA would face the gargantuan task of shaping the formal structure of the new Bangsamoro region.

He added that these include the crafting of the electoral, local government, education, administrative, revenue and civil service codes as well as the new Bangsamoro Development Plan.

“This requires the expertise of lawyers, technocrats, professionals and other specialists in the interim government. The BTA represents not just the MILF and MNLF but the entirety of the Moro and non-Moro people,” the presidential adviser said.

The 80-member transition body, according to Galvez, will see to it that by 2022, a strong institution will have been laid down and the people of the BARMM will be ready to exercise their right of suffrage and install their government officials.

Galvez also reminded the public that it is also the sole prerogative of the President to choose who he wants to be included in the BTA.

“We recognize that there are many more who want to serve the Bangsamoro through the BTA, but let us not forget that there is a multitude of ways to render our service for the people,” he said.

“At this point, it is essential that we work together to nurture the gains of our journey to peace,” he added.