President Rodrigo Duterte has urged all stakeholders of the future Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to participate in the plebiscite to approve the law and signify their intention to join the new political entity.
“I ask my Bangsamoro brothers and sisters, as well as the indigenous communities and Christian settlers living within the Bangsamoro areas, to actively participate in constructive discussions about the law in your homes, in your villages, and communities,” the President said during yesterday’s ceremonial signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
“More importantly, I encourage you to take part in the upcoming plebiscite so that you may express your sovereign will through the ballot,” Duterte added.
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will form part of BAR’s core territory.
The BOL is a result of the final peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the plebiscite can be held as early as November this year.
But Presidential Peace Process Adviser Jesus Dureza said it might be scheduled in November or January, which is still within the 150 day limit set from the time the law was approved.
Earlier, Duterte said he would like to talk to Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari for a possible separate autonomous region for his group. The ARMM was created as a result of the final peace agreement between the government and the MNLF.
“I can create also an autonomy for him if that’s what he wants, and pending the federal system implementation, he can just wait for it if he trusts me,” the President said.
The BAR will receive a yearly “block grant” of about P60 billion, which is equivalent to 5 percent of the net national internal revenue tax collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs from the third fiscal year immediately preceding the current fiscal year.
The Bangsamoro Parliament, to be headed by a Chief Minister, will govern the BAR.
The Chief Minister must be elected by 80 members or representatives, of which at least 40 are party representatives.
The other half must be divided into district representatives and sectoral representatives.
Seats will be reserved for members of the non-Muslim indigenous peoples, such as the Teduray, Lambangian, Dulangan Manobo, B’Laan and Higaonon.”‹