BTA Parliament Session on August 26, 2020

HIGHLIGHTS on the BTA Parliament Session on August 26, 2020

• The session resumed at around 2:00PM followed by the invocation, singing of National Anthem and the Bangsamoro Hymn.

• On the basis of the roll call, out of 80 Members of the Parliament (MP), 36 were physically present in the plenary hall and 26 MPs participated through teleconferencing via Zoom with a total of 62 MPs present.

RESOLUTIONS, MESSAGES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

• The Proposed Resolution No. 265, entitled: Resolution Directing the Ministry of Health to Administer COVID-19 Rapid Antibody Test to all the Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as well as their Immediate Staffs, authored by MP Atty. Maisara Cudia Dandamun-Latiph, was referred to the Committee on Health.

• The Proposed Resolution No. 267, entitled: Resolution Creating Board of Inquiry, in Aid of Legislation, to Review the Territorial Jurisdiction Issue and Maritime Transit Rights of BARMM over the Sibutu Channel in Tawi-Tawi, determining its Economic and Security Implication, and for other Purposes, authored by MP Ali B. Sangki, was referred to Committee on Transportation and Communication.

• The Proposed Resolution No. 269, entitled: Resolution Expressing the Sense of the Bangsamoro Parliament to Prioritize Mental Health and Directing the Ministry of Health and other Relevant Ministries/Agencies to Formulate Comprehensive Mental Health and Psychological Support (MHPSS) Programs for the Bangsamoro Region; authored by MPs Rasul Y. Mitmug, Laisa M. Alamia, Suharto M. Ambolodto, Baintan Adil-Ampatua, Amilbahar S. Mawalil, Rasul E. Ismael, Don Mustapha Loong, Bai Maleiha Candao, Safrullah M. Dipatuan, Bainon Karon, Anna Tarhata S. Basman, was referred to the Committee on Health.

• The Proposed Resolution No. 270, entitled:  A Resolution Directing the Bangsamoro Parliament Committees on Social Services and Development and Interior and Local Government to Conduct an Inquiry, in Aid of Legislation, into the Recent Mass Deportation of Bangsamoro Constituents from Sabah, authored by MP Atty. Maisara Cudia Dandamun-Latiph, was referred to Committee on Social Services and Development and Committee and Interior and Local Government.

• The Proposed Resolution No. 275, entitled: A Resolution Calling for the Protection and Preservation of Dimapatoy Watershed that Supplies Potable Water to Cotabato City and Some Parts of Maguindanao Province, authored by MP Dr. Susana S. Anayatin, was referred to the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Energy.

• The Proposed Resolution No. 286 entitled: A Resolution Expressing Profound Sympathy and Most Sincere Condolences to the Family of the Late Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Undersecretary Dimasangcay Alangadi Pundato, authored by MPs Ziaur-Rahman Adiong, Speaker Atty. Ali Balindong, Deputy Chief Minister Alim Ali B. Solaiman, Susana Anayatin, Atty. Hammid Barra, Atty. Anna Tarhata Basman, Atty. Jose Lorena, Abdulraof Macacua, Nabilah Margarita Pangandamun, Punduma Sani, Atty. Nabil Tan, Musa Diamla, Atty. Rasul Mitmug, Atty, Paisalin Tago, and MO Narciso Yu Ekey, was treated as a simple resolution and included in the business of the day.

• The Proposed Resolution No. 289, entitled: A Resolution Condemning the August 24, 2020 Twin Bombing in Downtown Jolo, Sulu, in the Strongest Terms, and Urging the Government of the Day to provide Immediate Assistance to the Families of the Victims, authored by MP Deputy Speaker Hatimil E. Hassan, Atty. Laisa M. Alamia, Amir S. MAwalil, Eddie Alih, Abraham T. Burahan, Don Mustapha A. Loong, Atty. Jose Lorena, Al-Syed a. Sali, Atty. Nabil A. Tan, Adzfar H. Usman, Atty, Suharto M. Ambolodto, Baintan A. Ampatuan, Rasul E. Ismael and Rasol Y. Mitmug Jr., was treated as a simple resolution and referred as a business of the day.

COMMITTEE REPORTS WERE AS FOLLOWS:

• The Committee Report No. 32 jointly submitted by the Committee on Rules and the Committee on Finance, Budget and Management on August 26, 2020, RE: Committee Substitute Bill No. 52 entitled: An Act Creating Bangsamoro Sports Commission, Providing its Mandate, Powers, and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for other Purposes.

• The Chair of the Committee on Rules, MP Lanang Ali Jr. gave a speed background on the said committee.

• The proposed amendments of the MPs submitted to the Committee on Rules had been accepted by the chairperson.

• The Committee Report No. 32 was adopted by the parliament.

• The Committee Report No. 28 submitted by the Committee on Labor and Employment on August 26, 2020, RE: BTA-Parliament Bill No. 36, entitled: An Act to Institutionalize Policies for Bangsamoro Overseas Employment and Establishing a Standard of Protection and Promotion of the Welfare of the Overseas Bangsamoro Workers and their Families, and for other Purposes.

• The Chair of Committee on Labor and Employment, MP Romeo Sema, delivered his report to the parliament.

• The Committee Report No. 28 was opened for the period of interpellation.

• The following are the questions and answers that were raised during the interpellation of the said report, to wit:
  • Q: I want to be clarified on the definition of the repatriation, what is the intention of the bill?
  • A: Repatriation ay yung mga kababayan natin na OFW na either victims of abuse or other [acts], but your point shall be deliberated in the period of amendment.
  • Q: Is there a parallel law at the national level, wherein we can reconcile this proposed bill with what is the existing?
  • A: Yes, there is.
  • Q: Ano ang kaibahan itong ipapasang batas na which we think na advantageous sa ating mg OFWs?
  • A: Malaki po ang kaibahan kasi dito po sa provision meron pong mandato ang Bangsamoro Government. Although may mga existing na provisions may mga iba doon na hindi applicable sa atin. Dito sa proposed bill na ito, nilagay po natin ang dapat na para sa Bangsamoro, including [protecting] the OFWs. For instance, the loan, ayaw po natin ma-engage sa Riba (usury) ang mga OFWs— wala po ito sa national existing laws.
  • Q: Papaano yung cause implication ng bill na ito?
  • A: Yung pag-establish natin ng Bangsamoro Health Desk in different embassies of the Philippines. In transition period, we can try one country to test the effectiveness of the bill.

• Some other MPs manifested their queries during the period of interpellation and there are some MPs who have already made their amendments but those were reserved in the period of amendments.

• The Committee Report No. 35 submitted by Special Committee on Marawi on August 26, 2020, RE: Special Committee Report on Marawi was discussed during the session.

• The BTA Parliament live broadcast ended at around 5:20PM.