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This is the fifth in a series of congressional hearings by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, and follows this same agenda: (1) Presentation by various agencies of their position on the BBL, and (2) Questioning by the members of the Committee in the presence of the members of the Peace Panel.

 

See attendance.

 

The morning session featured representatives of the DILG, PNP, Napolcom, DND, and NSC. Representatives from the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) could not come and will be attending the Oct. 28 hearing instead.

 

DILG USec. Corvera, DND Usec. Batino, PNP Director Edgardo Ingking, Napolcom Commissioner Urro and AFP Brig. Gen. de Leon expressed full support for the passage of the BBL. The DILG, Napolcom, and PNP will be submitting a joint position paper of support. NSC USec. Brosas read a statement, saying that the law would have positive national security implications since it would leave the AFP free to focus on external concerns. She added that “failure to pass the BBL will motivate the MILF to pursue secession. A tactical alliance might be formed with rebel groups and people will engage in extremism and armed violence”.

 

Rep. Biazon informed the committee that he will be drafting a substitute bill to “this administration bill” in order to remove the provisions that he deems to be unconstitutional. Rep. Lobregat reiterated his earlier concerns on the questionable constitutionality of certain provisions of the BBL.

 

Sidelights, observations

 

Rep. Celso Lobregat’s continued expression of his strong objection to many of the provisions of the BBL has become a recurring highlight in most of the House Committee hearings thus far, and takes up a large portion of the allocated time for questioning the resource speakers. He always begins his lengthy interrogation with the explanation that while he desires peace and the passage of the BBL, he would like to encourage everyone to make sure that the proposed bill can withstand the strictest scrutiny and pass any question on constitutionality that may render their efforts useless.

 

Rep. Biazon and Rep. Lobregat both expressed hesitancy in proceeding with the hearing because most of the resource persons were “merely representatives” of the principal authority in their respective agencies / offices, and most probably would not be able to answer questions to the satisfaction of the committee.

 

Rep. Alejano followed up his request for OPAPP to draft a strategic communication plan for information dissemination of the BBL down to the barangay level. He asked the PNP’s cooperation to disseminate the contents of the BBL down to the platoon level. “They have no copy of the bill”, he said. “They are at a loss. There should be a strategic commplan in order for all the stakeholders to understand”. Rep. Rodriguez informed the body that they have printed the BBL in book form, and have requested OPAPP to translate it into the different dialects. Secretary Deles replied that they have no capacity to do the translation, and will ask help from other agencies. The AFP, for its part, has an advocacy program and have already been discussing the bill in symposiums and even in command conferences.

 

When asked whether they have conducted risk assessments on the BBL, the NSA replied that they would only reveal that in an executive session.

 

Many of the Committee Members’ questions to the resource speakers were repetitions / reiterations of previous questions in previous hearings. Some Members who came in late or were not present during some segments of the 10-hour hearing tended to repeat questions that were already answered earlier.

 

Congresswoman Sitti Hataman provided a response to the constant implication by the committee members that too many benefits are being given for the Bangsamoro: “If we look into the historical context of the Bangsamoro struggle, you will see that it is a lot less than what we used to have before, to what we have given up in the name of peace and national unity. And this goes not just for MILF, but the entire Bangsamoro. We just need you to trust us”.

 

Rep. Cerilles appeared vocal in her stand against the BBL, but revealed her unfamiliarity / lack of awareness about the proposed law when she asked the committee “Who is the Chief Minister?”.

 

The morning session lasted until 3:00pm.

 

Main discussion

 

ISSUE / QUESTION

RESPONSE

OBSERVATIONS

Rep. Lobregat reiterated earlier claims that (1) the Supreme Court (SC) had earlier cited certain provisions of the ARMM charter to be unconstitutional.

(He gave the case ref. as GR 196271); and (2) The ARMM charter was considered a constitution and therefore cannot be repealed by a congressional bill.

Chair Rodriguez noted the statements and said the ARMM charter was a constitution of the Bangsamoro people, not the entire country. “There is a difference of levels (with the Phil. Constitution)”.

Upon checking, GR 196271 refers to a SC decision on the conduct of plebiscite in the ARMM many years ago.

Rep. Biazon: Re: Art. 5 After WWII, the definition of national security has encompassed a lot of things. National defense is only a component of national security. Yet, national defense is (the only one) covered by the NG in BBL. Defense is only a component, yet we are excluding the national authority to address the question of national security. This will be a major issue that must be brought up. Must include (as responsibility of the NG) national security as defined. What if NPA in Mindanao spills over to Bangsamoro territory? What if Abu Sayaff or ISIS spills over to the Bangsamoro? Sino ang makikialam? Why exclude internal security from the power and authority of NG?

DND: Art. 11 Sec. 15 – provides that defense and security shall be responsibility of the national gov’t (NG).

Rep. Biazon’s long stint in the military might have influenced his focus on military matters in the BBL.

Biazon: The universal definition of national security encompasses a lot of things.

This refers to “defense and external security only”. There is lack of mention of internal security and public order.

ASec de Leon: As clarified in the Annex on normalization – Public order and security within the Bangsamoro only. (The rest lies with the NG)

 

Biazon: In RA 9054, there is a phrase “however, the President may send forces to the region (ARMM)”– this was removed in BBL. Who determines the conditions when President may intervene in national defense and security?

Rodriguez clarified that the President has power to call the Armed Forces to the Bangsamoro in case of lawless violence, imminent danger, rebellion, etc.

 

Biazon: Is the request of the chief minister a precondition (for the President to intervene within Bangsamoro)?

ASec Francia reiterated the powers available to the chief minister. “Not really (limiting) the powers of the NG.”

 

Biazon: Re: the creation of a regional command for the Bangsamoro. Is this going to be a different regional command from the West Mindanao command?

DND: We believe that the prerogative to create such a command still lies with the NG.

 

Rodriguez: Is the Bangsamoro command separate from the West Mindanao command (WestMincom)?

ASec Francia: (the relationship is assymetric). This will be dictated as the situation warrants. It is still the prerogative of the NG to configure its forces, not dictated by Bangsamoro.

Gen. de Leon: This will depend on the operational conditions.

 

Biazon : There is a perception that the armed forces within the Bangsamoro are supposed to go back to barracks. Will they be vacating the naval station in Tawi Tawi (and mentions other military stations in Mindanao)?

ASec Francia: This will depend on the situation. All (personnel) will be retained.

 

Biazon: Do you include in the same category the issue of terrorism – as far as deployment by the President of the armed forces is concerned? Is terrorism in the same level as rebellion and insurrection?

Terrorism is within the responsibility of the AFP. What if Abu Sayaff spills over to the area?

We will continue to be there.

 

Biazon: Re-Sec. 10 par. 6- (Police chief) is subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA). The national police is not subject to CA. This should be stricken out because it will be discriminatory. Who has the power to hire and fire the policemen?

The Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro.

 

But the NG provides their salary, benefits, etc.

Essentially NG because the Bangsamoro Police is still under the PNP.

 

Biazon: Who has the power to allocate the number of policemen in Bangsamoro? (Mentions that in urban cities, police to resident ratio is 1:500) .

USec Corviera: Ultimately, the Chief PNP.

 

Lobregat: In 1976 during the Tripoli agreement at the height of the war in Mindanao, what was the strength of the MNLF at that period?

USec Batino: We need to look for the detailed data on this

 

Lobregat: Why did we sign the agreement with the MNLF? If the DND, Police, Napolcom cannot answer a basic question, what are we conducting the hearing for? It was MNLF who was the officially recognized representative of the Bangsamoro by the OIC. Fast forward to the present– what was the reason why the creation of the ARRM and Cordillera was included in the constitution?

Batino: Because there is a recognized importance in the constitution provided to these regions..

Rep. Lobregat was not really expecting answers but only wanted to drive home a point.

[Lobregat already had previous dialogues with the military re: BBL. This is probably the reason why he seemed surprised that the DND and military expressed full support for BBL]

Lobregat: It is because of the Tripoli agreement! We were always complying with the Tripoli agreement (as can be seen in the record)

Deles: Cordillera was in the constitution not because of the Tripoli agreement. There was a recognition of the cultural importance of these autonomous regions.

Batino: Because at that time MNLF had the forces, fighting against the govt. Now it’s the MILF. It’s not because of the OIC. Dahil MILF ang malakas ngayon makipaglaban sa govt.

Rep. Lobregat always refers to the documents (discussions) in the crafting of the Phil. Constitution. He requested the secretariat to provide the committee with transcripts of the constitutional convention.

Lobregat: The position of the MNLF at that time was they boycotted the 1989 plebiscite because Misuari said the law did not incorporate the Tripoli agreement. The MNLF was the officially recognized representative of the Bangsamoro.

No amount of pressure from the OIC forced the gov’t to talk with MNLF. That was not the reason.

 

Lobregat: But then how come until now we don’t have peace? Because there was a breakaway group – the MILF broke away from MNLF. They were considered a terrorist group at one point. What Misuari did in Zamboanga though was not justified. But why abolish laws ratified by the Filipino people?

Hataman(?): MILF was malakas na during that time. The reason why we talk with MILF is because of the continuing war. From the history of the peace talks, we want to find what is missing that needs to be added to RA 9054. The gov’t did right in talking with the MILF.

 

Lobregat: You could have just added (to the ARMM Organic Act), not abolished it, so that people working there will not be affected. Baka pagpirma nito, may isang grupo lalakas nanaman. What is the current strength of BIFF?

Batino: 4,000 strong.

It is not clear whether USec Batino meant BIAF.

Lobregat: Re- Abu Sayaff – upon signing of the peace agreement, will there be peace in Mindanao? Lets level the expectations. Who will go after the BIFF?

Batino: The AFP will continue to address the threat of the BIFF.

 

Lobregat: In the ANC Program “Bangsamoro and Beyond”, Jaffar was asked will you go after the BIFF? The answer was NO. So if the Bangsamoro police force will not go after terrorist groups, who will?

Deles: Jaffar is not with the government. Jaffar has no authority. It’s not their job to run after the BIFF. Jaffar responded as a leader of the MILF.

 

Lobregat: But the peace is MILF-led.

Deles: MILF at this time is not yet part of gov’t.

 

Lobregat: What is the strength of the MNLF breakaway group?

Gen. De Leon: 619 rogue MNLF.

There are 309 BIFF and a watchlist of 1,000.

 

Lobregat: Why should there be a joint inventory and assessment of arms of troops?

(On normalization) Why is there mention of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces? Do you agree with the use of that term? It has the status of belligerency. By recognizing them, and mentioned several times in the agreement, this is a problem. We should only have one police force and one armed forces.

Deles: Re: BIAF as the armed forces of MILF will be undertaking decommissioning. For the first time, we are talking of a specific decommissioning process. Each combatant will be transformed into a civilian. We have done this in signed agreements with groups that identify themselves as armies, e.g., Cordillera armies.

 

Lobregat: Re: letter C provision – The Chief Minister has control over the Bangsamoro police. Does the local mayor have operational control over police? What is the control being talked about? Who hires, who fires?

Commissioner Urro: The Chief PNP appoints the police.

This question has already been discussed in previous hearings.

Lobregat: Giving the Bangsamoro operational control runs counter with the constitution.

Comm. Urro: Just like with LGUs, operational control is with the local chief execs.

 

Lobregat: Does the local gov’t code apply to the Bangsamoro?

USec Corvera: BBL adheres with existing laws.

Ferrer: They have clearly delineated authorities, consistent with the local gov’t code.

Napolcom: PNP shall have administrative control, not operational. Hiring and recruitment is with the PNP.

However, operational control is with the local gov’t officials. (Read a provision of the local gov’t code [LGC]). This is consistent with the function of the Chief Minister. It does not take away any function of the PNP in terms of command and direction.

Rodriguez: The role of the Chief Minister is akin to the local chief exec.

 

Lobregat: Who investigates and disciplines the police?

USec Corvera: The Bangsamoro Police, but this does not deprive the PNP of its powers in matters of command and direction.

Again, this has already been discussed in previous hearings with regard to all public servants.

Lobregat : How will the LGC apply to Bangsamoro?

USec Corvera: (Reads Sec 12 Art 11 page 57 of draft law). Sec. 20 Art. 10 of the Constitution

 

Lobregat: This law will amend all other laws in one sitting. For instance, the required wearing of helmet is a national law. It cannot be suspended in Bangsamoro. The Bangsamoro gov’t (Sec 57, page 17) is given the exclusive power over the creation of local gov’ts. The Bangsamoro Parliament may create, abolish, alter boundaries. LGUs get their IRA based on LGC. If the Bangsamoro will be given power to create cities and municipalities without any restraint, that will affect the entire IRA of all LGUs in the country. This is unfair to all LGUs in the country. This should have been taken note of during negotiations. Putting “in accordance with the Constitution” in the provisions does not make everything constitutional.

USec. Corvera: It appears so.

This is why there will be a check and balance during the plebiscite.

Ferrer: IRA is based on population and land size. It will not change the variable even if provinces or municipalities are added. It is not true that there will be no constraints at all. There are inherent constraints because there are national laws. Everything has to be interpreted alongside all existing national laws. For example, Sharif Kabunsuan. The Supreme Court decided it can not exist as a province without its own district. And only Congress can create an additional district. This is why there will be a parliamentary forum between Congress and Bangsamoro Parliament– because the Bangsamoro Parliament cannot exercise powers on its own without constraints. There are inherent constraints provided in the constitution. We actually have a problem with existing municipalities in the ARMM without IRAs because they are not recognized as such.

 

Lobregat: I disagree. The system of IRA divides the pie. How much does each of LGU partake? With equal sharing. I’ve been with the local gov’t for 9 years. I’ve sat down with the DBM on this problem. There are clear parameters in the LGC. This is the main difference between BBL and RA 9054. Because RA 9054 says “subject to the constitution”. Nowhere in BBL is it stated that Bangsamoro is an integral and inseparable part of the Philippines.

   

Rep. Cerilles : I’m not anti-Muslim. The central gov’t is willing to grant advantages in terms of taxation, use of natural resources, block grants for the next 10 yrs, etc. Why not the same privileges for the LGUs of Mindanao? Why the advantage for the Bangsamoro?

Deles: The constitution puts more powers in the autonomous regions than in LGUs. We are in the resolution of this long protracted armed conflict with the MILF. We need to grant fiscal autonomy, and the power to sustain itself financially, which was their complaint with RA 9054.

 

Cerriles asked the Peace Panel whether they are from Mindanao.

Ferrer: We are not from Mindanao, but represent the President of the Phils., which is a good thing because we represent the entire country in this.

 

Cerilles : Re: Coordination protocols between Bangsamoro police and PNP. Will Bangsamoro have its own armed forces? This violates the constitution. It appears the AFP can’t move without a request from the Chief Minister (CM).

Batino: We believe that the CM would have the authority to recommend and request for the AFP but does not preclude the Chief Executive to call on armed the armed forces and exercise his authority when necessary.

Deles: If the CM sees a situation building up he may also ask the President to act, but it (his request) is not a precondition for the President to exercise his authority over Bangsamoro.

 

Cerilles: What guarantee is there that the MILF will lay down their arms and will have no more access to them?

Deles: MILF has a commitment under the annex on normalization. Within the year we will see a significant turnover of firepower. We are independently commissioning a body to put these weapons beyond use. There will be witnesses from the international community to make sure these commitments are carried out.

At this point, Rep. Acharon took notice that the resource speakers were hesitant to give final answers. USec Corvera explained that they will work on a joint position paper so that their responses would not be contradictory.

Rep. Acharon: On Sec 17 – why the need for coordination and cooperation? If it is just one PNP, why coordinate? There is only one Phil National Police. I’ve heard that police have problems with MILF- and MNLF-controlled areas. They could not move there without permission from them.

Chief Supt Ingking: Bangsamoro Police shall be part of the PNP. This part of the provision is still being reviewed jointly by PNP, AFP, DND, etc.

 

Rep. Hernandez: In case of conflict of instructions between Bangsamoro Police and Chief PNP, who will you follow?

Ingking: I will follow my commanding officer the PNP Chief.

Corvera: At any point in time, the Chief PNP can revoke or overrule the commands of the Bangsamoro Police with respect to public order. The Bangsamoro Police is ultimately headed by the Chief PNP. It shall operate thru a single unbroken chain of command. As national employees, the members of the PNP shall have uniform salaries and benefits under one budgetary source.

 

Rep. Acharon: Why do you have to coordinate with Bangsamoro on the movement of armed forces?

De Leon: This is normal procedure with the movement of troops. This is more of having a coordinating mechanism in place on the ground such as a joint action group. This is to avoid miscommunication as far as law enforcement operations are concerned.

 

Acharon: What assurance is there that all firearms will be surrendered?

Francia: A framework is being followed for the actual decommissioning as will be clearly seen by all. All firepower will be rendered useless.

 

Acharon: I hope the DILG will talk with the governors there who do not support BBL. I hope DILG will reach out to these gov’t officials.

Rodriguez : (In jest to DILG) Tell Mar Roxas to instruct them to support BBL.

 

Rep. Almonte: Pls note that the BBL says the Bangsamoro Gov’t shall have PRIMARY responsibility over public order in Bangsamoro. Sec. 6 Art. 16 General Provisions in the constitution provides for only one police force – which is national in scope, civilian in character. Clarify how this is reconciled with Art. 11 Sec. 1 of BBL.

Corvera: This will be included in our position paper. Art. 11 Sec 1 was provided for coordination for police operations on the ground. Under the BBL, the policing function is shared with the PNP. The Bangsamoro Police shall be part of the PNP. Professional, civilian in character, regional in scope, headed by a regional commander. Therefore, there is no conflict. They are under the command and direction of the Chief PNP.

Rep. Almonte, Chair of the House Committee on Public Information, has reset a committee meeting in order to attend this hearing. He has committed to take part in the consultations in Mindanao.

Rep. Alejano: Have you come up with a risk assessment in terms of BBL implementation?

Gen. De Leon: Yes, we are constantly monitoring developments on the ground.

As former AFP officer, Rep. Alejano was very familiar with military concerns.

Alejano: Pls give a copy of that risk assessment to the committee. How many have been integrated from MNLF out of 1996 peace agreement?

7,750 were integrated into the armed forces; no figures yet on the police.

 

Alejano: What was the experience in the surrender of firearms in 1996?

De Leon: We will generate a list and give to the committee. Procedure was through a “balik-balik” program.

Deles: 1996 did not include talks about those who will not be integrated, unlike now. All unregistered weapons will become illegal weapons.

 

Biazon: Is there an IRR on how BTA will govern? Please present this to the committee. We need to take a look at the guidelines, programs, and policies that will guide the BTA in order to govern.

Ferrer: This is provided in Art 16 – transition period.

 

Alejano: Per my experience, those surrendered arms are not really in good condition. The good and functional ones are not surrendered. How can we be assured that the firearms are the same ones they are using?

Deles: That is the role of the independent decommissioning body. Any weapon not surrendered is thereafter an illegal weapon. The interest of the gov’t is in the high-powered weapons. We do not use the term “surrender” (This is not by force). We use “turn in” - to put beyond use.

 

Alejano: Do you have an inventory of MILF personnel? Not all are combatants. The decommissioning body (DB) will naturally just accept this. But who will identify them? They can be validated thru intelligence reports.

Deles: IDB shall rigorously validate as well. We asked for international assistance – the way this is done. The int’l contact group – UK, Japan, Norway, are aware of this. The annex on normalization contains the gaps not included in the 1996 final peace agreement. IDB will first study the lay of the land and make a recommendation. We will work with IDB on adopting these recommendations. The security forces are very much on board here.

 

Alejano: On MNLF integrees in the AFP – what will happen to this ARMM unified command? Pls give us a deployment status report.

De Leon: The integrees have already been absorbed and are considered as regular soldiers already. Re: ARMM unified command, we will still make a research. Being regular members of the AFP, they may already be assigned anywhere. In Luzon, for instance.

 

Tejada: How do we treat issues on IRA if an LGU would like to be included in the Bangsamoro by reason of petition? What will happen to the mother LGU whereby voters in the area won the petition by 10%?

Bacani: The IRA (of the mother LGU) will be reduced.

Bacani has just arrived at the hearing.

Tejada: How about boundary conflicts, territorial conflicts between LGUs in and out of Bangsamoro?

Bacani: There are already existing boundary disputes – being resolved at the LGU level in terms of cadastral surveys – both inside and outside Bangsamoro. In the future, the Bangsamoro gov’t will decide if the LGU is inside the Bangsamoro.

 

Tejada : How about resolving issues now inasmuch as we are determining which areas will be included in the Bangsamoro?

Bacani: These are being resolved at the LGU level, in determining the boundaries. No updates as of today.

 

Tejada: These areas may opt to join the Bangsamoro territory. How do we go about resolving the conflict, not to add to the existing problems. We cannot expect one LGU to give in to another. How is this resolved?

Deles: Within ARMM, through a cadastral survey by DENR. This is a very urgent matter, whether or not there is this law.

 

Rep. Hernandez: In the event of hot pursuit, when they have to go in the core territory, do you need an order from the Chief Minister in order to pursue?

Corvera: Sec. 14 states provision on coordination protocols of the armed forces, the same with PNP. Will specifically determine the protocols.

 

Hernandez: These protocols should be made very clear next time. How do we avoid people taking advantage of this situation? They should not take advantage especially in the period of normalization.

Deles: Coordination mechanisms are in place. There have been instances where MILF assisted local police to effect arrests. The protocols do not prevent them from doing so.

Ingking: We follow PNP’s protocol in pursuing suspects. They coordinate with the local unit.

 

Alejada: Will the same be true in Bangsamoro?

Ingking: This is part of the position paper we are doing. We assume that protocols are already in place now.

 

Alejada: There should be no grey area, no subject for interpretations. Who will supply firearms to Bangsamoro police? This should not be used against us in the future. It’s their own Bangsamoro police. Will they wear the same uniform?

Ingking: Since they are considered only one police force, they will wear the same uniform, the same insignia.

 

Alejada: From our experience in the past – pursuit with high powered arms resulted in conflict.

Deles: MILF will no longer be a political power. The Police is not MILF-led.

 

Alejada: It’s easy to say that but for people on the ground, they are not used to this. Will create confusion. This must be clear during the implementation.

Sec. 29 Art 6. Sec 9(?) provides for at least one cabinet position from the Bangsamoro in the Supreme Court and constitutional bodies. Why does this have to be included in the BBL?

Deles: It was put there as a matter of policy to reflect the cultural diversity. Being encouraged. This needs affirmative action –an acceptance that there are areas where the minority are the majority. This is to give recognition to all types of Filipinos. This sends a message to all groups, that they are part of the country.

 

Alejada: But all positions do not make a distinction whether Muslim or Christian.

Deles: The situation warrants affirmative action, that’s why it was put in the law.

Loong: That provision was already included in RA 9054.

 

Tejada: There should be no distinction between Muslims and Christians. Positions should be based on trust and confidence, religion should not enter the picture.

Ferrer: The term used was not Muslim, but competent inhabitants of the Bangsamoro, to increase the representation from this geographic area. It is not religion but a matter of polity. In RA 9054 the term used was “inhabitants of the ARMM”.

 

Lobregat: In RA 9054 the phrase “As far as practicable” was added. We don’t want the President to be the one to break that policy. There was a qualification in RA 9054.

   

Hernandez: If a non-Muslim files a case and served inside the core territory, what would happen?

Corvera: Will follow the same procedure as in other areas.

Hernandez: But Sharia courts cover the core territory.

Ferrer: Not all cases can be filed in Sharia court.

 

Hernandez : How this case will be treated in the future must be studied by the committee.

How about airports and seaports?

Ferrer: For instance, the Cotabato airport, airsite, everything will be owned by the NG, except for the landsite. The relevant provisions are not yet clear, but the principle is the same. Arrangements will be between the DND and the local DND.

 

Hernandez: Re: the landsite. Can the Bangsamoro pass a law privatizing these utilities?

Ferrer: The NG owns the facility through the DOTC.

 

Acop: Were you consulted re: Public order and safety, Art. 11? Are you comfortable? Do you know if this is good for the country?

Corvera: We don’t find any conflict on this matter. WE will submit comments on the technicalities.

 

ACOP: On public order within the Bangsamoro, is this not a responsibility of the NG? Parang nilagay lang iyon sa huli (as an afterthought). Parang wala na kayo responsibility for anything that happens within the Bangsamoro. The local gov’t code (LGC) is silent over the power of the local chief executive over the police.

Sec. 14 provides for national support services of PNP and its relationship with the Bangsamoro shall be determined by the IGRM. What is this animal? Why make it hard for the PNP to do their job within the Bangsamoro?

Corvera: [Repeats earlier answer]

Ferrer: (Reiterates explanation re: sharing of power in terms of autonomous gov’ts).

 

Lobregat belabors the point of the Bangsamoro Police being “regional in scope”. ‘Why need these protocols? These are not present with other regions in the country, even Cordillera’.

Rodriguez: Re: Conflict of power sharing – Sec. 20 There is a delegation that this Congress can give that will enable them to enact a law detailing the shares of the LGUs, as provided by Sec. 20 par. 9. In Sec. 32 – sharing of natural resources – this is already in the law. I don’t see any violation here. By law, congress shall delegrate authority.

 

Lobregat: Which now is a better law? RA 9054 already details sharing of IRA. E.g. 70/30. RA 9054 protects the LGU. You shall not pass any law affect the IRA already enjoyed by the cities, barangay, etc.

Bacani: There is nothing in this law prohibiting the Bangsamoro from increasing the share of LGUS inside Bangsamoro.

 

Lobregat: We should not pass any law to diminish the share of the LGUs in the IRA.

Ferrer: The Bangsamoro gov’t represents the LGUs there, and should be able to exercise its power with regard to sharing of revenues generated from its natural resources.

Re: Police. All regions are governed by a Regional Director. We also have a Regional Director for the Bangsamoro region naturally. There is a misconception that the Bangsamoro police is the MILF. These is already an existing police force.

 

 

Concluding statements

 

The next hearing will be on October 28 – 9:30 am featuring former SC justices, law deans and legal luminaries; 1:30 pm – featuring labor and business groups. October 29 hearing will focus on NGOs and youth sector.

 

Announcement of change of venue for the provincial consultations:

December 12 consultations has been moved from Kidapawan to Kabacan, North Cotabato.