READ | HIGHLIGHTS of the BTA Parliament Special Session on July 2-3 2020
✔️Opened the period of interpellation and debate on the Proposed Resolution No. 239, entitled: RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE GRAVE CONCERN OF THE BANGSAMORO TRANSITION AUTHORITY OVER THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL NO. 1083 AND HOUSE BILL NO. 6875, AS ITS COUNTERPART BILL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS “ANTI-TERRORISM ACT 2020”
✔️MPs manifested and asked relevant questions to the lead proponent of the resolution for its improvement.
✔️Some MPs proposed to include all members of parliament as proponents of this very important resolution.
✔️MP Mohagher Iqbal read the request letter from Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim that was addressed to Speaker Ali Pangilian Balindong in order to enlighten the other MPs of his purpose on requesting to discuss this very important resolution.
✔️In this letter, Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim acknowledged that it is important to take a stand on an issue that has a direct impact on the Bangsamoro People and that is the “Anti-Terrorism Bill.” He pointed out the issues that are most relevant to the context of the Bangsamoro People: Firstly, the definition of terrorism and penalizing their acts related thereto, that not only violate the due process clause of the constitution but also make easy targets of innocent individuals and make them vulnerable to Human Rights violations; Secondly, the surveillance of suspects and the interception and recording of communications and detention without a warrant of arrest for prolong period of detention that violates the fundamental rights including the right of privacy and the rights of accused; Thirdly, the power of the Anti-Terrorism Council to order an arrest and to designate persons, groups, organizations or associations as terrorist which violate the separation of power and the right of due process. He humbly requested that the BTA Parliament to consider integrating and reflecting the points and concerns raised in his position statement when finalizing the proposed BTA resolution for the matter.
✔️Some other MPs supported the Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim on his position requesting to the President Rodgrigo Duterte to Veto the “Anti-Terrorism Act 2020.”
✔️Other MPs manifested their support to the said resolution, while others clarified some points.
✔️Opened the period of amendments on the Proposed Resolution No. 239, entitled: RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE GRAVE CONCERN OF THE BANGSAMORO TRANSITION AUTHORITY OVER THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL NO. 1083 AND HOUSE BILL NO. 6875, AS ITS COUNTERPART BILL IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS “ANTI-TERRORISM ACT 2020”
✔️MP Atty. Maisara C. Dandamun-Latiph proposed amendments to improve the Proposed Resolution No. 239 were as follows:
Whereas, under the 1987 constitution, the deprivation of liberty of an individual must be by virtue of a warrant of arrest duly issued by the competent court as general rule, as such the power to issue such warrant which involves exclusive determination cannot be shared by another instrumentality of the government.
Whereas, under section 29 of Senate Bill 1083, the power to detain and deprive a person of his/her liberty without court determination and/or offending criminal case based on mere suspicion is granted to the Anti-Terrorism Council who is given the full power to authorize any law enforcement agent and military personnel to take custody of a person suspected of acts of terrorism and deprive that suspected person liberty of fourteen (14) days and additional ten (10) more days all without judicial determination of authorization.
✔️MPs introduced their amendments to the Proposed Resolution No. 239. Some were accepted by the lead proponent and some were declined including MP Latiph’s. There were also some MPs who withdrew their amendments.
✔️Deliberation of the committee report No. 27 on convening of the parliament into a committee of the whole on Proposed Resolution No. 252, entitled: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 1ST BANGSAMORO DEVELOPMENT PLAN (BDP) 2020-2022 OF THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO.
✔️MPs manifested their proposed recommendations and suggestions for the enhancement of the resolution. Other MPs clarified some points.
✔️Part of the recommendation read by the majority floor leader is to create a Technical Working Group (TWG) under the Committee on Rules for the purpose of deliberating the manifestations and recommendations raised during the committee deliberations on July 1-2, 2020 for consideration of possible incorporation and recruitment of Bangsamoro Regional Development Plan.
✔️Adopted all of the recommendations on the committee report No. 27.
✔️Other MPs clarified some points and was referred to the TWG for reconsideration and inclusion of their recommendations.
✔️MPs were directed to submit their further recommendations and suggestions to the Secretary General and will forward to the Technical Working Group for further deliberations.
✔️The committee report No. 27 on convening of the parliament into a committee of the whole on Proposed Resolution No. 252, entitled: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 1ST BANGSAMORO DEVELOPMENT PLAN (BDP) 2020-2022 OF THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO was adopted and will be discussed in the next session.
✔️The Bangsamoro Transition Authority approved the Bangsamoro Development Plan 2020-2022 subject to amendments and results of the Technical Working Group on July 3, 2020 in a Special Session.
