Breaking News | Senator Koko Pimentel files bill extending Bangsamoro transition period
Mindanaoan Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday, January 25, filed the first bill in the senate seeking to extend the Bangsamoro transition period by postponing the 2022 elections.
Senate Bill No. 2019 is entitled “An Act Amending Section 13 Article XVI of Republic Act 11054, entitled ‘An Act Providing for the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,’ Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act No. 6734, entitled ‘An Act Providing for the Organic Law of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’ as amended by Republic Act 9054, entitled ‘An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,’ and Setting for the Purpose the First Regular Election of the Bangsamoro Government.”
The bill seeks to modify Section 13 Article XVI of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) which states that “the first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government under this Organic Law shall be held and synchronized with the 2022 national elections.”
Meanwhile, on the same day, Lamitan City Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay personally visited Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal in Cotabato City to officially hand over City Mayor Rosita Furigay’s letter ‘fully supporting’ the extension of the Bangsamoro transition period.
In her letter, Mayor Furigay said Lamitan city “honestly believes that sufficient time is needed for the BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority) to lay down the foundation for the institutionalization of a just and lasting peace and to maintain the momentum in achieving economic growth in the Bangsamoro.”
She further said that “a task as big as this is a long and arduous process so that the BTA must be extended and allow it to fulfill its mandates to the fullest and at its best.”
Furigay added that the Lamiteños have already felt the gains of the new Bangsamoro and “it is but right and just to allow it to come to fruition so that we do not compromise the peace and gains we have achieved.”
Furthermore, Sulu’s second district representative Abdulmunir Arbison also expressed his support to the Bangsamoro transition extension.
In a statement posted Monday on Luuk municipality’s Facebook page, Arbison said the call for extension is “overwhelmingly supported by the people in the 2nd District of Sulu.”
“Let us give moral governance a chance and help President Duterte to fulfill his legacy for lasting peace in Mindanao,” Arbison said.
Source: Bangsamoro Government
(Bangsamoro Information Office)
