Team for projected transition of ARMM to Bangsamoro formed

MANILA – As Congress continues deliberations on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the peace panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continue with their parallel work of implementing the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB). In a meeting recently held in Kuala Lumpur, the two panels agreed to create a composite team that will coordinate the preparations and ensure a smooth process for the projected transition of government functions from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) upon the anticipated passage in Congress of the BBL and its subsequent ratification in the envisioned core territory. The BTA is the body provided for in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) which shall serve as the interim government prior to the establishment of the Bangsamoro and the assumption of its elected leaders in 2016. The composite team will be made up of members coming from the central and ARMM governments and the MILF,” Coronel-Ferrer said. The terms of reference of said composite team is being drafted and is expected to be signed soon.” Clear plan for ARMM employees According to Coronel-Ferrer, the crafting of a clear transition plan for ARMM employees is in the agenda of said composite team. The Civil Service Commission and other relevant agencies will be consulted to ensure a smooth transition,” Coronel-Ferrer said. Earlier, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said that civil service rules will be followed and civil service eligibilities and entitlements of ARMM employees will be respected during the transition phase from ARMM to the Bangsamoro government. We imagine that there may be some reorganization of the governmental structures in consonance with the proposed ministerial form (of government of the Bangsamoro),” Deles said, emphasizing that, certainly in doing that, there will be a clear plan, separation benefits if necessary.” We’ll follow the laws of the land. Certainly to those who have civil service eligibility, we’ll have different options open to them such as being transferred to another area or by choice, being separated with due compensation. So this will all undergo due process,” she added. However, the peace adviser cautioned that implementation of the transition process will only happen once the BBL is passed and ratified in a plebiscite. As the creation of the composite team is being finalized, the implementation of other components in the CAB moves simultaneously. Just recently, both panels have formalized the bodies and mechanisms that will roll out the normalization process which includes the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) which shall oversee the process of decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons the Joint Normalization Body (JNC) which shall coordinate the different normalization processes and mechanisms and the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC), recently introduced to the public, which shall undertake a study and recommend to the panels the appropriate mechanisms of transitional justice and reconciliation.