NEWS




1April

BTA authorizes ICM AL Haj Murad to work for release of funds

Parang Maguindanao– The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has authorized Interim Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim to work for the release of national funds for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which President Rodrigo Duterte inaugurated last Friday, said a report by Ali Macabalang of Manila Bulletin on March 31.

In the same article, it says that, in its first parliamentary session that day, the BTA passed four resolutions, two of which empowered Ebrahim to “request the release of the transition fund” and “to request for the transfer of the current year’s appropriations for the ARMM to the BARMM.”

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shares a light moment with Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim on the sidelines of the inauguration of BARMM at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City on March 29, 2019. Also in the photo is Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr. (KARL NORMAN ALONZO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

The parliamentary resolutions were passed earlier purportedly for the presentation of the excerpts on the two budget-related measures to President Duterte.

But it is sad to note that in his nine-minute speech, President Duterte did not mention budget concerns for the new entity, reiterating only his general description of BARMM as a potential avenue to help “correct historical injustices of the past” among Moro communities.

The DBM is yet to release the funds for BARMM and is expected this month. For the meantime, the officials and staff appointed by Ebrahim in 10 initially constituted ministries will be considered as volunteers.