Manila, 14 August 2024 – Today marked the launch of “The MP’s Little Green Book: A Personal Guide for Members of the Bangsamoro Parliament” in Manila. The event was attended by 30 Members of Parliament and a diverse audience of national, international, and local stakeholders from the Bangsamoro region.

“This Little Green Book aims to guide first-time Bangsamoro Members of Parliament (MPs) in the discharge of their functions. The workings of the parliamentary form of government are relatively unknown to many. As a hopefully easily accessible and friendly read, this guide can be used by current and future MPs and their staff to supplement usual reading materials,” said its authors, MP Baintan Adil-Ampatuan and Violeta T. Veloso, former executive director of the Committee Affairs Department of the House of Representatives.

The handbook also aims to document the early stages of the Bangsamoro Parliament and the uniqueness of its government setup. “This piece was born out of compassion and in recognition of the efforts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) leadership, who have steered this transition government through all the challenges it encountered,” the authors added.

The authors highlighted the importance of creating new structures, institutions, and mechanisms; crafting legislation during the pandemic while establishing new norms in service delivery; and unifying the multiple Moro fronts and ethnolinguistic groups. “These are strides worth documenting, especially since every day that democracy is protected and allowed to flourish is a strong, resolute step towards the attainment of lasting peace,” they noted.

In his introductory message in the handbook, Speaker of Parliament Pangalian Balindong acknowledged the authors for creating an informative and easy-to-read guide that reflects their intimate knowledge of the legislative process and its role in democratic governance. “While it is written from a personal point of view, it will undoubtedly be valuable to new parliamentarians, students studying law and politics, and those who have not worked or participated in policymaking but are interested in the Bangsamoro Parliament, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, and legislative policymaking in general,” he added.

Why the title?

“We decided to call this The Little Green Book—’little’ as it is but a humble offering to those entrusted with the huge responsibility of scrutinizing and crafting policies, and ’green’ which is the color that symbolizes hope and, therefore, the aspirations of the Bangsamoro. ‘Green’ is also a figure of speech used to refer to neophytes, who we hope will gain important insights into the strategic role of the regional Parliament in forging peace and development,” the authors explained.

The handbook is divided into six sections, each outlining essential aspects of a BARMM MP’s role. These sections cover: 1) what to do first; 2) legislation; 3) oversight; 4) representation; 5) other unwritten rules; and 6) wrapping up and moving forward. To enhance readability, the authors have adopted a conversational tone and incorporated visual aids such as diagrams, maps, and official BARMM documentation. Real-world examples and anecdotes complement the practical guidance. Ultimately, the goal is to equip new and seasoned MPs, as well as students and researchers, with valuable tools and insights.

Published by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), a non-profit policy center dedicated to good governance and human security in the southern Philippines, the handbook is produced with the support of the Australian Government. 

This publication arrives at a critical moment. With the historic first-ever parliamentary elections in the BARMM on the horizon, the 80-seat Bangsamoro Parliament will soon be filled through popular vote.

“Effective leadership requires a delicate blend of technical competence, empathy, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of the people. May this handbook serve as an inspiration for current and upcoming BARMM leaders to embody the spirit of service and build a brighter future for the region,” IAG said.