NEWS




18August
PHOTO BY BPI-BARMM

BTA holds 3rd consultation on proposed Bangsamoro Administrative Code

Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao (August 18, 2020) – The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) held Monday, August 17, the 3rd consultation on the proposed Bangsamoro Administrative Code (BAC) via zoom. Of the 22 members of the panel representing the Bangsamoro Parliament, only 15 were able to participate.
In yesterday’s consultation, selected law and governance experts were invited to present, and share their opinions and positions regarding the Cabinet Bill No. 60, filed in the plenary late July.

A report by the Bureau of Public Information-BARMM posted in the official website of the Bangsamoro Government quoted Atty. Michael Henry Yusingco, a Senior Research fellow at the Ateneo School of Governance suggesting stringency in following the parliament system of government, as mandated by the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

“As a rule, it should not simply repeat the provisions of the BOL, but it certainly cannot go beyond the spirit and letter of the organic law,” he stated. “The code must exhibit specific mechanisms and principles mandated by the BOL.”

Furthermore, Yusingco stressed the separation of powers and system of responsible government between the Government of the Day and the Bangsamoro parliament. He then provided examples from different countries that follow the parliamentary structure, the report said.

Atty. Randolph Parcasio, the Chief-of-Staff of Member of Parliament (MP) Al-Syed Sali and an instrument in drafting the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (ARMM) Administrative Code, focused on services in the Bangsamoro Government, including the functions and structure of the different ministries.

“These are necessary for more effective delivery of services,” he said, citing examples on the local government, health, and social services sector.

For her part, Maricris Valte, Senior Project Officer at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), stepped on the distinction between the executive and legislative branches of the Bangsamoro Government.

She also lauded the articulation of the mandates, functions, authorities, and procedures of the governing bodies of the Bangsamoro Government, as stated in the draft code.

“We should treat this code as the core document,” Valte said, while noting the importance of providing more details on government functions, including the framework and mechanisms of the Bangsamoro Government.

The first, and the second consultation on the proposed BAC with provincial governors, and the city mayor of Cotabato City was held last Monday morning, and with cabinet members in the afternoon, respectively.