Manila Standard Today | March 01, 2013

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Thursday signed the first of four annexes to the framework agreement on the Bangsamoro in Kuala Lumpur.

Both panels signed the annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities (TAM) which “details the road map towards the creation of the Bangsamoro” region.

They also signed the terms of reference for the Independent Commission on Policing that will submit recommendations to the peace panels on the appropriate form, structures and relationships of the police force for the Bangsamoro.

Government chief negotiator Miriam Ferrer said they have also resumed discussions on the annexes on wealth sharing, power sharing, and normalization.

The administration was hoping to complete all annexes and sign a final peace agreement with the MILF by March.

President Benigno Aquino III earlier appointed the members of the 15-man Transition Commission that will draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The Palace, however, failed to get a representative from the Moro National Liberation Front to join the commission as announced earlier.

“The MNLF leadership chose not to endorse a representative but we are certain that among the appointees are people who know the situation and perspectives of the MNLF on the ground,” presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles said.

The commission will be headed by MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.

Seven members of the commission were chosen by the government, namely former Sulu Rep. Asani Tammang, lawyer Johaira Wahab, former Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Akmad Sakkam, former dean of the Mindanao State University King Faisal Center for Islamic StudiesTalib Benito, former Isabela City, Basilan councilor Pedrito Eisma, chairperson of the Maguindanao-based Teduray Lambingian Women’s Organization Froilyn Mendoza, and director of the Sulu-based Lupah Sug Bangsamoro Women’s Association Fatmawati Salapuddin.

The MILF chose eight, including Iqbal, fellow negotiating panel members Roberto Alonto and Abdulla Camlian, panel consultants Raisa Jajurie and Melanio Ulama, Ibrahim Ali, Hussein Munoz, and MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities chairman Said Shiek.

Under Executive Order No. 120, the Transition Commission will have an initial funding of P100 million.

In an earlier statement, government chief negotiator Miriam Ferrer said the aim of the Transition Commission was  “to install the Bangsamoro through a new organic act as soon as possible in order to have an elected Bangsamoro government by 2016.”

The commission was also mandated to assist in identifying development programs together with the Bangsamoro Development Authority and the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute– two institutions affiliated with the MILF.