COTABATO CITY — “The Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum serves as a confidence-building instrument and, in the process, a venue for the fruition of a unified strategy for Philippine governance,” said Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong in a historic forum of the Parliament and the Philippine Congress.
As part of efforts to forge closer relations between
the national and Bangsamoro government, the Parliament and the Philippine
Congress convened for the first time in a joint legislative forum in Manila.
Speaker Balindong said that the PCBPF will also serve
as the main instrument for addressing concerns and issues in the Bangsamoro.
Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, there should be a
PCBCF for purposes of cooperation and coordination of legislative initiatives
involving both the regional and national government.
The PCBPF, according to the Senate, is imperative to
facilitate legislative measures and initiatives concerning the Bangsamoro
government and its people.
The Forum also serves as the coordinating unit for the
two legislative bodies, resolving potential issues and affecting the
implementation of provisions of the BOL, as well as closely monitoring and
overseeing bills filed in Congress affecting the Bangsamoro government.
Several key legislative measures for the region were
discussed, including priority codes that need to be passed; laws enacted to
upgrade hospitals in the different areas of the Bangsamoro region; the
possibility of extending the deadline for Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
and Moro National Liberation Front members who wish to apply for amnesty;
qualification of Shari’ah circuit court judges; and future plans for the
continued cooperation of the Philippine Congress and the Bangsamoro Parliament.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman noted that the
establishment of BARMM is a “historic win for the whole country.”
To have continued cooperation and address the issues
and concerns discussed in the forum, PCBPF will create a technical working
group.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace,
Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez said this will be
the beginning of a strong, inclusive, and productive partnership between the
Philippine Congress and the Bangsamoro Parliament in uplifting the lives of our
Bangsamoro people.
Meanwhile, Senate President Miguel Zubiri called for
the immediate passage of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, while expressing full
support for the PCBFP.
“To enable the smooth and efficient delivery of
government services, serve the people, we have to work hard on this particular
electoral code because we don’t think we can extend the Bangsamoro Transition
Authority, the people would like to vote for the representatives and members
they want to,” said Senate President Zubiri.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim vowed for the
passage of the two priority codes within the first quarter of 2023.
Chief Minister Ebrahim, Speaker Balindong, BTA deputy
speakers, deputy leaders, and several Members of the Parliament; House Speaker
Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez; OPARU Secretary Galvez; PCBPF
members Senator Loren Legarda, Francis Tolentino, and Robin Padilla; House
Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe; House Committee on Ways and Means Chair
Joey Salceda; Representatives Rex Gatchalian, Yasser Balindong, Mercedes
Alvarez, and Maximo Dalog Jr. were present during the meeting. (LTAIS-Public
Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)
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