bbl in senate | public hearing on bbl in marawi city, oct 23, 2014
DESCRIPTION
Transcript of the Senate public hearing on the BBL in Marawi City on Oct. 23, 2014TRANSCRIPT
-
Republic of the Philippines CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
S E N AT E Pasay City
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE
COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION
DATE : Thursday, October 23, 2014
TIME : 9:00 a.m.
VENUE : Provincial Capitol Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
AGENDA : Senate Bill No. 2408 An Act Providing for the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro and Abolishing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act No. 9054, Entitled An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Republic Act No. 6734, Entitled An Act Providing for an Organic Act For the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and for Other Purposes (by Senators Drilon, Sotto, A. Cayetano, Legarda, Recto, Ejercito, Binay, Escudero, Aquino, Angara, P. Cayetano, Honasan and Guingona)
ATTENDANCE
SENATOR PRESENT:
HON. FERDINAND R. MARCOS JR. - Chairman, Committee on Local Government
1
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Thursday, October 23, 2014 Page 2
GUESTS/ RESOURCE PERSONS:
Hon. Ansaruddin A. Adiong - Representative, 1st District Lanao del Sur
Hon. Mamintal Bombit Alonto Adiong Jr. Governor, Lanao del Sur Hon. Sultan Arsad RPK Marohombsar Vice Governor, Province of
Lanao del Sur Atty. Mohammad Al-Amin Julkipli - Government of the Philippines
Peace Panel, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
Hon. Lampa I. Pandi - Mayor, Municipality of Poona Bayadao, President, Mayors League of Lanao del Sur
Mr. Amenodin Sumagayan - Former Mayor, Municipality of Taraka, Lanao del Sur
Hon. Raysalam M. Mangondato - Mayor, Municipality of Balindong Lanao de Sur
Mr. Jamil Lucman - Former Assemblyman, Lanao del Sur
Mr. Dalidig A. Sumdad - Chief Legal Counsel, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
Hon. Amerto D. Pangandaman - Director, Marawi State University (MSU) System
Dr. Mara S. Macarambon - Department of Health, MSU Marawi City
Datu Abul Khayr Alonto - Chairman, Moro National Liberation Front
Mr. Said M. Sheik - Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC)
Atty. Lanang T. Ali Jr. - Legal Counsel, BTC Mr. Talib A. Benito - BTC Mr. Samanoding D. Sansarona - Chairman, Light of Islamic Faith
Education, Incorporated Mr. Hassanor M. Alapa - President, Al Insan Islamic
Assembly of the Philippines Sultan Monsing Macabando - Chairman of the Board of
Directors, Confederation of the Royal Sultanate of Lanao
Datu Musa Sultan - Ranao Confederation for Peace Mr. Ahmad E. Alonto Jr. - Religious Sector
2
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Thursday, October 23, 2014 Page 3
Mr. Drieza A. Lininding - Youth Sector, Icare for Bangsamoro Movement
Mr. Nasib Yasin - Provincial Comelec Supervisor Lanao del Sur
Mr. Abo Hayyan Malomalo - SAKSI Islamic Radio Forum Mr. Ayobkhan B. Saripada - SAKSI Islamic Radio Forum Ms. Yana Garcia-Abbas - Bureau Chief, Kutang Bato Star Mr. Sonny Dipatuan Sr. - Department of Trade and Industry
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Lanao del Sur
SENATORS STAFF
Atty. Luzviminda Lavarias - O/S Marcos Atty. Jose Cadiz Jr. - O/S Marcos Ms. Arifah Jamil - O/S Marcos Ms. Shiela Mae Enriquez - O/S Marcos Mr. Gene Angelo Ferrer - O/S Marcos Ms. Gloria Ildefonzo - O/S Marcos Ms. Victoria Ching - O/S Marcos Ms. Agnes Frogoso - O/S Marcos Mr. Julius Palamos - O/S Marcos Mr. Ben Ranque - O/S Pimentel
SECRETARIAT:
Ms. Assumption Ingrid B. Reyes - Committee Secretary, Committee on Local Government
Mr. Elpidio H. Calica, MNSA - Committee Secretary, Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation
Mr. Guillermo E. Sapinoso Jr. - Committee Stenographer Ms. Carolina F. Driz - Committee Stenographer Ms. Susana Grace L. Robles - Committee Stenographer Ms. Maribel P. Mendoza - Committee Stenographer Ms. Pilar E. Gutierrez - Committee Stenographer Ms. Mylene R. Palino - Assisting Staff, LCSS A Mr. Daniel D. Diamzon - Assisting Staff, LCSS A Mr. Jimmy R. Gaviola - Assisting Staff, LCSS A
3
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Thursday, October 23, 2014 Page 4
Mr. Oscar Rugayan - Legislative Page Mr. Christina John Tentia - Legislative Page Mr. Prudencio V. Gerardino II - OSAA-SSS Mr. Nelson B. Dimayuga - OSAA-SES
(For complete list, please see attached Attendance Sheet.)
4
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-1 October 23, 2014 10:37 a.m. 1
AT 10:37 A.M., HON. FERDINAND R. MARCOS JR., CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, CALLED THE HEARING TO ORDER.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Ladies and gentlemen,
good morning.
The hearing of the Committee on Local Government together
with the Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation of October
23, 2014 is hereby called to order.
The agenda for today is Senate Bill No. 2408, An Act Providing
for the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro and Abolishing the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act
No. 9054, Entitled An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act
for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Republic Act No.
6734, Entitled An Act Providing for an Organic Act for the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao, and for Other Purposes.
For the information of everyone here today, this is a continuation
of the hearings that these Committees are conducting. The first
hearing was conducted in Cotabato City and this is the second hearing
now in Marawi City with resource persons from the area.
So I would like first of all to make, again, more or less the same
statement that I made in Cotabato City, and that we are here to make
surethe reason that we have these hearings is to examine the
5
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-1 October 23, 2014 10:37 a.m. 2
different issues and the different positions of all of the stakeholders in
the Bangsamoro Basic Law. I believe, as far as I can tell, that
everybody, not only in the affected areas of Bangsamoro but also all of
the Republic of the Philippines, are looking to us to put together a
good law that will finally succeed in bringing peace, a lasting peace, to
Muslim Mindanao. This is our hope, this is our prayer and this is the
work that we have before us. [Applause]
So with that in mind, I have a list of the resource speakers who
are here today. First of all, I would like to acknowledge for the record,
from the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Office, the
representative is Atty. Mohammad Al-Amin Julkipli, hello again, good
morning; from the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, Commissioner
Saed Sheik, Commissioner Talib Benito, Atty. Lanang Ali Jr.; the
chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, Ambassador Datu Abul
Khayr Alonto; the representative of the 1st District of Lanao del Sur,
Representative Ansaruddin A. Adiong; from the province of Lanao del
Sur, Governor Mamintal Bombit Alonto Adiong Jr.; vice governor of
the Province of Lanao del Sur, Vice Governor Sultan Arsad RPK
Marohombsar; Municipality of Poona Bayadao, president of the Mayors
League of Lanao del Sur, Mayor Lampa Pandi; the municipality of
Taraka, Province of Lanao del Sur, the former mayor, Atty. Amenodin
Sumagayan; Municipality of Balindong, Mayor Raysalam Mangondato;
6
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-1 October 23, 2014 10:37 a.m. 3
Municipality of Pualas, Province of Lanao del Sur, represented by the
former Assemblyman Jamil Lucman; from the MSU System, Director
Amer D. Pangandaman; from the religious sector, Dr. Ahmad E. Alonto
Jr.; from the youth sector, Drieza Lininding.
These are the resource speakers from whom we will be hearing
from today. The usual procedure that we have is to go around. Since
we have many speakers here today, I would justin the interest of
good ordergo down the list of our representatives here to present
their positions and their ideas and views on the proposed Bangsamoro
Basic Law as it has been written and it has has been presented to
Congress.
So to get started, we would like to first hear from the chairman
of the MNLF, Ambassador Datu Abul Khayr Alonto to present the
position of the MNLF.
So Ambassador, Your Excellency, if you would proceed.
[Applause]
MR. K. ALONTO. Alhamdulillah rabbil alamin.
Let me avail the opportunity, Mr. Chairman, to express our
sincerest thanks for this opportunity. It is a great pleasure, Mr.
Chairman, that the leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front,
the senior central committee members are here with us today, and the
chairmen of the various districts, command and state revolutionary
7
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-1 October 23, 2014 10:37 a.m. 4
commands. Once again, coming out in support of a successful,
stronger, strengthened Bangsamoro government in Muslim Mindanao.
[Applause]
This is a rendezvous with history, the Honorable Chairman,
rendezvous in history to correct the wrong that has been committed
against the Bangsamoro people, in the words of Ambassador
Ricciardone of the United States, the former chief of mission of the
U.S. to the Philippines, that history has been cruel to the Bangsamoro
people.
Mr. Chairman, I dont want to take much of your time as the
Moro National Liberation Front, the legal panel and our legal
consultants are addressing this problem right now, trying to
consolidate and reconcile the positions taken in this BBL. And we will
be coming in due time to be submitted to your committee.
Nevertheless, I hope I can capsulize in five minutes, as I was told,
what we wanted to say here. To capsulize the 497 years when in
1521, when Magellan was killed by Lapu-Lapu in Mactan, the great
divide has been built between our two communities. Mr. Chairman,
this is the longest running peace negotiation. It is our hope and our
wish that in the spirit of the Tripoli Agreement of 1976, anchored on
the Resolution No. 18 of the 1974 summit of heads of states of the
members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Malaysia that
8
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-1 October 23, 2014 10:37 a.m. 5
gives birth to the RP-MNLF Tripoli Agreement, the 1996 agreement. It
is our wish that this move, the creation, the crafting of the
Bangsamoro Basic Law is not to diminish/jun
9
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-1 October 23, 2014 10:47 a.m. 1
MR. K. ALONTO. is not to diminish but to strengthen this
Bangsamoro government in Muslim Mindanao that what has been
devolved to the autonomous government, the laws and the powers
devolved by the central government, must be retained in this BBL.
[Applause]
Mr. Chairman, this humble representation in 1976 brought the
manifesto of the Ansar Al-Islam supported by the combatants, the true
fighters, the Mujahideens of Mindanao spearheaded by the Moro
National Liberation Front the position of the Bangsamoro people
supporting the Ansarul Islam manifesto issued, chaired by then
Senator We brought it to Malaysia on time and it was submitted to
the OIC and that leads to the Tripoli Agreement that we were
supporting, that compelled also the previous government, the
government of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, the father of the
Honorable Chairman, to negotiate the good leadership of southern
Philippines, including the Moro National Liberation Front, for the
creation of an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao.
Again, unfortunately, the chairman of the MNLF did not come.
We were able to establish the regional autonomous government in the
ARMM. After the establishment, three months after, this humble
representation resigned because we wanted a stronger Bangsamoro
governmentresigned as the interim head of the autonomous
10
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-1 October 23, 2014 10:47 a.m. 2
government. But we worked it out and we pursued our effort which
was geared towards having a meaningful, substantive autonomy in the
spirit of the Tripoli Agreement.
Mr. Chairman, many waters have passed under the bridge.
Corazon Aquino was elected president, the icon of democracy. Again,
they compelled Nur Misuarithis humble representation brought back,
compelled Nur Misuari to return back to the Philippines. Unfortunately,
Mr. Chairman, quoting the words of former vice president, the late
Emmanuel Pelaez, that he said, Im mandated by the President in this
negotiation to retain the 10 provinces, including the three provinces to
be subjected to a plebiscite in this negotiation, as you were able to
work it out in the previous government. But unfortunately, Mr.
Misuari cancelled the negotiation in Manila and moved to Jeddah and
claimed, insisting on having the entire Mindanao area, including
Palawan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi. Again, we compelled him to return back.
And in fairness to President Fidel V. Ramos, in 1996 was worked out.
We prepared the ground for that, Mr. Chairman.
Now, we are here, and we hope that this BBL, the law in your
hands and in the hands of the members of your Committee and the
Lower House, the Ad Hoc Committee. In your hands now, Mr.
Chairman, is not only the future of the Bangsamoro government in
Muslim Mindanao, sustaining it, strengthening it and enhancing it,
11
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-1 October 23, 2014 10:47 a.m. 3
neither the future alone of the Bangsamoro people. In the hands of
Congress right now is the future of this country if we want to keep this
country united, not fragmented.
Mr. Chairman, just a couple of days back, a public citation came
out, allaying the fear that if this BBL will not be enacted, there will be
war. Quoting the undersecretary of the National Security Council, the
MILF, the MNLF, the BBL will join forces as the MNLF has said also,
they fear that they were taken out in this peace process.
Mr. Chairman, we want to assure that Filipino people, through
the Congress of the Philippines, particularly the Committee of the good
Senator and the Ad Hoc Committee of the Lower House headed by my
compadre and brother and a cousin, Congressman Rufus Rodriguez,
that the Moro National Liberation Front came out without reservations
whatsoever in support of the comprehensive agreement on the
Bangsamoro. Likewise, the leadership of the Moro National Liberation
Front which this humble representation accepted on the premise that
this leadership will be anchored, that we will pursue the inalienable,
inherent right of our people, the Bangsamoro people, for self-
determination in a non-violent, peaceful, democratic process. There
will be no war and their fear that if this BBL will not work, according to
the undersecretary of the National Security Council of this
administration, there will be war. There will be no war because we
12
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-1 October 23, 2014 10:47 a.m. 4 declareand we declare it once again today that we ask our people
we ask the Filipino people at least even for a fleeting moment, Mr.
Chairman, to put themselves in the shoes of the Bangsamoro people
that have suffered for the last 497 years preserving their heritage,
their tradition, their sovereignty and freedom as a people. I think that
what they are asking from the Philippine Congress to be implemented
and to be crafted is not only for the Bangsamoro people but for
themselves because the congressmen and the senators representing
their regions eventually will be asking the same.
Mr. Chairman, what I want to emphasize here is that let us craft
an honest to goodness Bangsamoro Basic Law that will be responsive
to the needs and requirements of the region. [Applause]
What we will be asking here, Mr. Chairman, might be the same
that the solid north, the Ilocandia will be asking from the Philippine
Congress because if we succeed, Mr. Chairman, if we can have a
stronger, more meaningful Bangsamoro Basic Law will pave the way
for the irreversible development in this country which is the future of
this countrythe adoption of the federal parliamentary form of
government because it is only in that system, Mr. Chairman, that we
can keep the country together. It is only in that system where there
will be less contradictions because the Bangsamoro government in
13
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-1 October 23, 2014 10:47 a.m. 5
Muslim Mindanao will be sovereign in its own domain and the federal
government will also be sovereign in its own domain. [Applause]
And I look forward and pray that in our lifetime, Mr. Chairman, in
your lifetime that we can correct the wrong, that the federal form of
government, based on the establishment of a stronger Bangsamoro
government in Muslim Mindanao, will open the door, the future to the
Filipino people.
It is my wish again, Mr. Chairman, sharing the sentiments with
our people who have suffered. This is the voice, Mr. Chairman, of the
orphans and the widows which to date, 182,000 of our people perished
in this struggle. Let us put meaning to their death and the death of
those innocent soldiers who come not from the elite of Makati but the
soldiers who were recruited simply because they cannot find jobs and
they joined the Armed Forces. Let us spare them from another war.
We will have no war because, Mr. Chairman, if this BBL will not
workcfd
14
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-1 October 23, 2014 10:57 a.m. 1
MR. K. ALONTO. will not work that can open the
federalization of the Philippines, we can pursue and we will pursue our
inalienable inherent right to self-determination not through the barrel
of a gun.
And this I appeal to our brothers in the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front, let us not talk about war. To the freedom fighters, let us not
talk about war. To the Bangsamoro people, there will be no more war
because if there be another war, the collateral damage will be the
future of our children and the future of the Bangsamoro people and the
future of this country. We will do it through peaceful means,
nonviolent, democratic and perhaps in the end we have to adopt the
Malaysia, Singapore formula where grudgingly, reluctantly the
partyless(?) that are now the leaders of development and peace in the
organization of the ASEAN and it is not far, it is not remote, Mr.
Chairman. If this is our destiny perhaps in Gods divine guidance,
Mindanao and the Philippines can also be a leader in the ASEAN.
Mr. Chairman, I am thanking you for this opportunity and these
497 years of our history cannot be capsulized in five minutes but,
nevertheless, I am at your disposal, Mr. Chairman and the members of
the Committee. And I am at the disposal of our brothers and sisters if
there be any query they want to ask because this is our destiny and
15
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-1 October 23, 2014 10:57 a.m. 2 our destiny we had to trust Allah Allah because in him, in him only
that we can seek help to open the hearts and minds of our people, not
the Bangsamoro people but our brethren of the South, our brethren of
the North that we share common heritage, common grace and
common destiny. Wa Salaam wa alaikum warahmatolahi wa barakatu.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Thank you, Your
Excellency.
And the Committees certainly welcome the assurances of Your
Excellency that the further pursuance of any peace negotiations or any
agreements between the Bangsamoro people and the Republic of the
Philippines will be pursued under the umbrella of peace. Also we take
note of the comments that you have made in support of the federal
form of government as it has been brought up before in other
discussions not only in this Committee but in other discussions
concerning the Bangsamoro Basic Law, that this might be the
beginnings of the adoption by the republic of a federal form of
government not only here in Bangsamoro but also around the country.
[Applause]
Now, it is a discussion which has begun because of the
examination of the Bangsamoro Basic Law that has been passed on to
16
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-1 October 23, 2014 10:57 a.m. 3 Congress by the President.
So I believe, Mr. Ambassador, that we would like to hearI
would happily lift the five-minute limit when it comes to your
comments and if there are any more details about the specifics of the
Bangsamoro Law that you would like to take up or to put on the record
for the Committees, then we would certainly welcome them.
Mr. Ambassador, would there be more that you would like to talk
about, perhaps specifics, some specifics on what your positions are or
comments or insights into the law itself?
MR. K. ALONTO. Mr. Chairman, Thank you.
And I believe, Your Honor, there are other resource speakers
that will be addressing these other problems but what we wanted, Mr.
Chairman, at this early stage, from day one, we have to speed it out.
Without malice intended, Mr. Chairman, not to undermine the
leadership of the leaders that will be taking over the leadership of the
transition commission that we do not trust them.
No, Mr. Chairman.
Democracy in Islam is simply the rule of law. And since it is the
rule of law, we want it, Mr. Chairman, that on the spirit of equal
sharing, referring to the fossils, the natural resources that we have in
the region, the strategic minerals, Mr. Chairman, we want to express
17
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-1 October 23, 2014 10:57 a.m. 4
our satisfaction on this equal sharing provided, Mr. Chairman, that the
revenues that will be generated from the exploration of oil, natural gas
or uranium as well as the strategic minerals that include the precious
metals must be programmed solely by the parliament to be
implemented by the Bangsamoro government in Muslim Minadanao
solely to promote, Mr. Chairman, free education for the Bangsamoro
people. For more than 40 years I... [speaking in the dialect]
Second, Mr. Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Bago iyan. Maganda iyan.
MR. K. ALONTO. Second item, Mr. Chairman, that this
revenue will include also to promote free medical care for the
Bangsamoro.
Mr. Chairman, our fear is that if this cannot be attended well, it...
of the National Economic Development Authority the improvement of
the healthcare in the Philippines. The average expectancy of life of an
average Filipino is 68 years old. But for the Bangsamoro people the
average expectancy is only 52 years old, Mr. Chairman, because of
poor health programs in the Bangsamoro people being the poorest
region in the country. So free medical care for the Bangsamoro
people. Libre [speaking in dialect] Bangsamoro. [Applause]
And third, Mr. Chairman, the revenues also should be partly used
18
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-1 October 23, 2014 10:57 a.m. 5
to promote affordable housing shelter for the Bangsamoro [speaking
in the dialect] [Applause]
And, Mr. Chairman, our territory in the Lanao Region, per
chance, if you have to visit the technocrats, they say that it might take
some time before it can discover oil in our own land here. But what
propelled, Mr. Chairman, the development not only of Mindanao but
the Philippines, is the Lake Lanao, Mr. Chairman, the Agus system that
provides, at one point in time, hundred percent of electrical power
requirements of the region.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Correct.
MR. K. ALONTO. We were so happy, Mr. Chairman, that with
the crafting of the BBL, that it will be put under our control because in
their ARMM, it is only the region where it was spelled out that the lakes
and the rivers will be of national concern. But now, it will be the
concern of the Bangsamoro Muslim government and the Bangsamoro
people. [Applause]
Our brothers and sisters are clapping here. [speaking in the
dialect] But we cannot avail of the opportunities of our lake, God
given lake, for the benefit of the Bangsamoro people. Because under
this BBL, Mr. Chairman, all those connected with the national grid will
now be put under the control and supervision of the Bangsamoro
19
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-1 October 23, 2014 10:57 a.m. 6
government in Muslim Mindanao.
In short, Mr. Chairman/sglr
20
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-1 October 23, 2014 11:07 a.m. 1
MR. K. ALONTO. In short, Mr. Chairman, the Agus system
will still remain a national concern and we cannot do anything about it,
not unless we put up our own power.
So on this, Mr. Chairman, we look forward that your good
Committee in crafting this law, a correction must be made because it
is our hope that the funds that will bethe revenues that will come in
from this Agus system and then give it to the autonomous
government for their supervision and control will be more than
enough, Mr. Chairman, to develop the two provinces and the nearby
provinces of Lanao Del Sur.
And lastly, Mr. Chairman, again, under the law in this BBL being
drafted, they limited the participation of the Bangsamoro people in our
national affair and in the bureaucracy of our national government.
Including the quasi-government corporation, Mr. Chairman, they
will only allow our representation and we are involved in any project
or any development programs for the Bangsamoro. But in the spirit of
the Tripoli Agreement, Mr. Chairman, as spelled out, which our late
President Ferdinand Marcos responded and accepted, Mr. Chairman, in
the creation of the autonomous government forwarding it and
strengthening it in implementing the Muslim Affairs which this humble
representation lobbied for its creation in the Office of the President
where we have now the Commission of Filipinos.
21
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-1 October 23, 2014 11:07 a.m. 2
Mr. Chairman, they are limiting it but in the spirit of the Tripoli
Agreement, the Bangsamoro people means the Muslims in this country
will be represented in all the organs of the state including the judiciary
and including the quasi-government-owned corporations of the
government.
In short, Mr. Chairman, if we will look at the BBL, they have
limited the participation of the Bangsamoro people.
Once again, Mr. Chairman, I thank you.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Thank you, Mr.
Ambassador.
Just to be very clear, your proposal is that the share of the
national wealth of the Bangsamoro will be applied specifically to
education, to healthcare and to shelter and housing.
Furthermore, you would like to strengthen or adopt some of the
provisions in the Tripoli Agreement which state that the representation
of the Bangsamoro will be included in all the organs or all the agencies
of government and that is something that you would like to add.
MR. K. ALONTO. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Thank you very much.
As we all know that it was the Tripoli Agreement that was the
first to recognize and to institutionalize that recognition that there is a
difference in culture, a difference in history, a difference in law and
22
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-1 October 23, 2014 11:07 a.m. 3
certainly in religion of the Bangsamoro and that is why that
recognition isfrom that recognition flows the issue of self-
determination by the Bangsamoro. And if I am to interpret your
comments correctly, Mr. Chairman, that these are the elements that
you would like to strengthen in the basic law that we are presented
with here today.
MR. K. ALONTO. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
You are clearly a fine representative of your people and of your
organization. As we can see, the Chairman has mentioned the basic
services of government be strengthened for his own people and that I
commend you as that is the true sign of a good public servant.
[Applause]
Well, thank you, Mr. AmbassadorAmbassador Alonto, the
Chairman of the MNLF.
I would like now to go to our next resource person. We would
like to now move to the governor of the province of Lanao Del Sur,
Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr.
MR. M. ADIONG. Thank you very much, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Your position, please.
MR. M. ADIONG. [speaking in the dialect] To all the local
provincial and regional officials who are in attendance in todays joint
23
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-1 October 23, 2014 11:07 a.m. 4
public hearing, our MILF and MNLF brothers and sisters, the
Committee on Local Government and Peace, Unification and
Reconciliation headed by the distinguished chairman, the Honorable
Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., friends, ladies and gentlemen, assalamu
alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuh.
I do not have much to say except declare that I trust the office
of his Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in making
things happen for the Bangsamoro government in Muslim Mindanao as
House Bill No. 4994 is now being deliberated in Congress and we look
forward, Mr. Chairman, to the passage and enactment of the
Bangsamoro Basic Law at the Senate.
Allow me to convey our heartfelt gratitude to the Honorable
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for making the good people of Lanao Del Sur
part of this significant political paradigm shift on local government.
Thank you very much. Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa
barakatuh.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Thank you, Mr. Governor.
For the record, I would just like to make note of the fact that the
governor has presented the Committee with the position paper in
which some of his more detailed comments are incorporated and this
will be made part of the record of the Committee.
24
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-1 October 23, 2014 11:07 a.m. 5
Before we proceed, I would just like to acknowledge the arrival
of Datu Musa Sultan of the Lanao Confederation for Peace and
Engineer Abu Hayyan Malomalo of SAKSI Radio Forum Incorporated.
At this point, I would like to now turn to the representative of
the 1st District of Lanao Del Sur, Representative Ansaruddin Adiong.
Congressman, if you would, please proceed.
REP. ADIONG. [speaking in the dialect] assalamu alaikum
wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuh. I would like to extend my very warm
welcome to the Honorable Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Romualdez
Marcos Jr., Chairman of the Committee on Local Government, to all
honored guests and resource persons from various government
agencies and to all our constituents present here today to discuss
about this important historic bill, the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
My fellow men, brothers and sisters, we are here today to create
a meaningful dialogue and make certain our long aspired peace will be
realized through the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
The armed conflicts have resulted in the loss of more than a
hundred thousand Filipinos, most of them were civilians. The effects
of these decades of fighting have been devastating and long lasting
which caused massive displacement of families.
However, ladies and gentlemen, we are now very close in
making history to finally reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict that
25
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-1 October 23, 2014 11:07 a.m. 6
adversely affected the development of this nation and attain what has
been elusive for the past several decades and a long thought to be an
impossibility peace in Mindanao.
The Bangsamoro Basic Law will pave the way for the
establishment of the Bangsamoro entity. The name Bangsamoro itself
honors our religion and culture, honors the remarkable achievement of
our ancestors and acknowledges our identity as Muslim Filipinos.
The Bangsamoro government will bring about harmony and
progress, not only for the Bangsamoro people but for all Filipinos. It
will bring about freedom from poverty and debt for the people of
Mindanao.
However, this is not an easy task. It will test just how strong
our resolve is and how determined we are to examine all the
provisions of this bill. This is why I am very delighted to see everyone
here committed in achieving our goal which can contribute a genuine
transformation that has potentially various benefits for the people of
Mindanao and for the Filipino people.
Let us all make history happen and experience the fruits of this
historical legislation.
[speaking in the dialect] assalamu alaikum/mpm
26
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION PEGutierrez V-1 October 23, 2014 11:17 a.m. 1
REP. ADIONG. Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa
barakatuh. [Applause]
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Thank you very much,
Congressman Adiong.
Just also for the record, I would like to acknowledge the
presence ofI will not go down the list, but all the mayors of Province
of Lanao Del Sur who are here with us today and again the League of
Municipalities of Lanao Del Sur have also presented a position paper
which include a more detailed examination of the proposed
Bangsamoro Basic Law. I would like to add that included in the
position paper, adopting the position of the League of Municipalities of
Lanao Del Sur are also the board members of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan of Lanao Del Sur. At this point having mentioned or
brought up that the League of Municipalities of Lanao Del Sur have
given us a position, I would like to ask their president, Mayor Pandi, to
perhaps give us an overview and inasmuch detail as you care to give it
to the Committee an overview of the position as you have presented it
in your position paper to the Committee. For the record, please,
Mayor Pandi.
MR. PANDI. Audhu billahin min ash-shaytan rajeem
bismillah ir-rahman ir-raheem. Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa
barakatuh.
27
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION PEGutierrez V-1 October 23, 2014 11:17 a.m. 2
Before anything else, allow me please to welcome the good
Senator, Senator Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., to the Province of
Lanao Del Sur.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Thank you very much.
MR. PANDI. Thank you very much, sir, for coming over and of
diligently performing your mandate as chairman of the Committee on
Local Government. Hopefully we can thank you more if after the final
draft or final form of the Bangsamoro Basic Law will be approved and
will truly represent the consensus of the entire Bangsamoro people.
Before I present the stand of the League of Municipalities of the
Philippines, allow me please to say my piece and my personal belief as
a Maranaw, as a Moslem and the mayor of the municipality of Poona,
Bayabao.
My belief is that the Bangsamoro government as contained in the
comprehensive agreement of Bangsamoro and this Bangsamoro Basic
Law is thus far the best peace package the government has offered in
terms of our quest for peace and in terms of our fight for self-
determination. It is in this context I am personally committed to
support this current agreement including this Bangsamoro Basic Law.
However, since we are here gathered to hear the sentiments of every
sector and every individual Bangsamoro constituent we all must feel
free to express our respective views if only to find the best ideas that
28
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION PEGutierrez V-1 October 23, 2014 11:17 a.m. 3
shall be enshrined in the proposed Bangsamoro bill. This is the only
way that this we can probably come up with a fundamental law that
will ensure the achievement of our aspirations and ensure that what
we will adopt now can withstand the test of time so that the
Bangsamoro Basic Law we are curving now will be the Bangsamoro
Basic Law in the very far future.
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that if we shall compare or make
an analogy of the Bangsamoro Basic Law with a comb and a scissor, I
prefer the Bangsamoro Basic Law to be compared with a scissor. It
must be used to straighten of what is probably curved; it must be used
to fix what is probably damaged; and it must be used to organize what
is probably disorganized; and finally it must be used to strengthen
what is probably weak. With this, we can probably use the
Bangsamoro Basic Law as an instrument for lasting peace and
development in the Bangsamoro land.
On the manifesto of the League of Municipalities of the
Philippines, Lanao Del Sur Chapter, let me just read a part of the
position paper, Mr. Chairman.
Representing the 39 members of the League of Municipalities,
Lanao Del Sur Chapter, we the undersigned officers and board of
directors hereby reiterate our commitment of support to the peace
process and most specifically of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. We
29
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION PEGutierrez V-1 October 23, 2014 11:17 a.m. 4
reiterate our support to seek the widest sectoral support and deepest
public understanding of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law in the
hope of gaining not only its prompt approval and ratification but also of
ensuring its smooth and effective implementation. It is on this
premise that we would like to manifest our views and concerns so that
Congress may be able to address certain provisions of the proposed
law before it is brought to the public for ratification.
Briefly, Mr. Chairman, let me just point out two important views
that we feel must be addressed by the Committee.
The first is on the ARMM employees and elected officials. The
security of tenure and the three years term of office for elected officials
must be given due consideration to address the issue of
disenfranchisement and job displacement. We do not want to dictate
or suggest any idea on how to address this but our request is to at
least for us to consider the plight of these affected sectors of the
Bangsamoro constituents.
The other issue, Mr. Chairman, is on the redistricting. We make
a stand on this because history would tell us that the hottest or the
most violent elections in Muslim areas, including Lanao Del Sur, is the
barangay elections.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Mayor, I think not only in
Lanao Del Sur, I think all around the country that is certainly the case.
30
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION PEGutierrez V-1 October 23, 2014 11:17 a.m. 5
MR. PANDI. The reason for this, Mr. Chairman, is we are
electing one official in a very small geographic area. So under the
proposed bill, it was proposed that a cluster of six to eight
municipalities will be electing one assemblyman and we have
apprehensions on this, Mr. Chairman, because as we feel this will be
more divisive, more expensive, more violent and more
counterproductive compared to the present setup of electing a number
of assemblyman over the congressional district of about 18 to 22
municipalities. Those are the two main views, Mr. Chairman, that we
wanted to be raised for the Committee to consider and probably
ensure that there will be due consideration.
Thank you very much.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Thank you, Mayor Pandi.
I would just like to inform you and your league and all of those
that are here is that these points have been brought up before. These
are points of concern that have been brought up in our first hearing
and have been brought up in other discussions outside of the
Committee. And I think that just for the information of all those who
are attending here today, I would like to turn once again as we did in
Cotabato to the OPAPP/peg
31
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-2 October 23, 2014 11:27 a.m. 1
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). to the OPAPP as they
were represented by Atty. Mohammed Al-Amin Julkipli to answer.
There are two main points here. The very first one is again on the
redistricting because there is a confusion as to how do we handle the
parliamentary districts and how that relationship will be vis--vis the
congressional districts of the House of Representatives.
So, Atty. Julkipli, maybe the comments that you made in
Cotabato, perhaps you could repeat them for the enlightenment of
those that are here today.
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, good morning and good morning to
everyone in this auditorium.
As regards the issue on redistricting, it has already been raised
that there are concerns with respect to the adoption of the single
member representation as written in this proposed bill. But aside from
that, there is also a concern with respect to the actual constitution of
the proposed parliamentary districts as we have in the appendix to this
draft BBL. But briefly, before I discuss that matter, Id like to point
out, as requested by the good chairman, to make some clarification
with respect to congressional district vis--vis parliamentary districts.
In this proposed BBL, ladies and gentlemen, and for the
information of the body, the congressional districts as created and
mandated by the Constitution for purposes of representation to the
32
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-2 October 23, 2014 11:27 a.m. 2
House of Representatives will not be touched. It will be sustained and
it will continue to exist. Therefore, iyon pong representatives natin na
ini-elect sa ating House of Representatives will still be there and the
district constitution of, for example, Lanao del Sur, as District 1 and
District 2, will not be touched. That will continue to exist. Ang
ginagawa natin po dito, with respect to parliamentary district, is to
apportion a different political boundary called parliamentary districts
and this is for the purpose of determining or ascertaining
representation to the parliament naman, to the Bangsamoro
Parliament.
So there has been suggestions made before that instead of
drawing new borders for these parliamentary districts, we could
actually use the present format of the congressional districts that we
have and that is as of now an open suggestion. So the status quo of
the appendix where we have the proposed no districting like the entire
BBL for now is also a proposal. And we are still open to study further
the apportioning of these districts so that we can achieve the ultimate
purposerepresentation. So that in the Bangsamoro Parliament,
there will be true representation of the different peoples in the
Bangsamoro territory.
So just to recapitulate, when we say po parliamentary district,
that is different from the congressional district. In this BBL, because
33
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-2 October 23, 2014 11:27 a.m. 3
we are adopting a parliamentary system, there will be district seats
and these districts are called parliamentary districts. In this
proposed BBL, we attached an appendix containing a proposal on how
the districting for parliamentary representation would be. And we take
and consider all the suggestions and concerns that we are hearing
about the appendix right now and we are open to further studying the
district configuration for the Parliament of the Bangsamoro.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Thank you, Attorney.
Just also for the benefit of those who are unable to follow the
Cotabato hearings, is that there were also suggestions made that
instead of redrawing political boundaries that we follow, for example,
the formula with ARMM where you have in one district three
representatives to the parliament. That is another suggestion.
I would just like to ask Atty. Julkipli, would this be acceptable
within the framework agreement that was signed between the Republic
of the Philippines and all the other stakeholders, most notably the
MILF?
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, as of this moment, our guidance
from the agreements with respect to the parliamentary district and the
district representation and the would-be parliament is the reflection of
the different constituencies and how we ascertain that reflection is still
34
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-2 October 23, 2014 11:27 a.m. 4
up for determination. So I think, Mr. Chair, if we do adopt those
suggestions, that would still be in line with the signed agreements.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). So we have some space as
to the amendments or new formula that we might care to adopt not
necessarily again. Again, I believe that the confusion, if there is such,
arises from the redrawing of the district boundaries and having, for
example, a municipality that is in a certain congressional district but is
separated in the parliamentary district. And that is why there have
been suggestions as three joint members of parliament from each
congressional district. The other suggestion has been to divide the
congressional district into three parliamentary districts. This is
another proposal that has been made. And so this is certainly going to
be examined but we are going to do that with respect to the
membership of the parliamentary as it is laid out in the framework
agreement that has been signed between the parties.
And now, can we move on to the second point that Mayor Pandi
brought up which is the Bangsamoro Election Office? And that the
position of the League of Municipalities of Lanao del Sur is that we
continue to conduct elections under the Comelec as opposed to having
a separate election office.
Do I read your position correctly, Mayor Pandi? Yes.
35
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-2 October 23, 2014 11:27 a.m. 5
So that is, again, the concern that has been raised now by the
mayor as representing the province, I suppose, because we have
included here all the mayors of Lanao del Sur and the members of the
provincial board.
So Atty. Julkiplli, first, in principle, what would be the reaction of
OPAPP to that suggestion? And, secondly, would it fall within still the
framework agreement, in the form that it was signed by the parties?
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, very briefly, in response to that
particular issue, we would like to direct the attention of the mayor and
also of the group present today to a provision in our proposed BBL
which already says that although we propose to establish a
Bangsamoro Electoral Office, this will be part of the Commission on
Elections.
So, maybe, this is also the right opportunity to be able to clarify
that, that this Bangsamoro Electoral Office is actually part and parcel
po of the Comelec. And therefore, the administration of election laws
would still conform to the constitutional requirement that it shall be
this body called the Comelec who shall administer all election laws in
the country. We are creating here a specialized office under the
Comelec and this is part of the Comelec called the Bangsamoro
Electoral Office.
36
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION GESapinoso I-2 October 23, 2014 11:27 a.m. 6
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). I think this situation has
actually already arisen here in Lanao del Sur where the fourth district
which included the town of Masiu which in fact formerly belong to the
first district. So you have one town that belongs to one congressional
district/jun
37
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-2 October 23, 2014 11:37 a.m. 1
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). that belongs to one
congressional district and separated from each other companions in
that first district to the fourth district. So that kind of a situation has
shown some confusion. And again, that is I think why the LMP, Lanao
del Sur has raised it.
Yes, Mayor Pandi, you would like to add something.
MR. PANDI. Mr. Chairman, actually when we presented the
idea that we prefer the original arrangement, we didnt present our
problems regarding on the specific area districting. You have cite the
case of Masiu. Masiu is under first district, but in the proposed
redistricting they will fall under municipalities belonging to second
district. That is one.
Second is, we have three municipalities which are not mentioned
in the redistricting scheme. And these are Marogong, Lumbaca-
Unayan and Dumalondong. So what happens to these three
municipalities?
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Yes, very clearly they
have been left out. Atty. Julkipli, does the OPAPP have a reason for
having left them out of the list on that district?
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, I think this particular concern has
actually been raised to our office and weve been able to issue an initial
response although as I mentioned earlier, this appendix that we see to
38
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-2 October 23, 2014 11:37 a.m. 2
this BBL is a standing proposal that we are still open to rethink and
rewrite. And precisely, one of the reasons that impels us to do that is
because of the oversight that there were municipalities that were not
listed there.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). So it was not deliberate?
MR. JULKIPLI. It was not deliberate, Mr. Chair.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). It is merely--I suppose
you could call it a typographical error or just an honest mistake.
MR. JULKIPLI. Honest mistake, Mr. Chair.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). So do you have then the
proposed new districts and where do these towns--the three missing
municipalities, which districts do they fall into in your annex?
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, the annex right now is being
reviewed by a special team that has been constituted by the panels of
the government and the MILF and that is now in the process of being
written and as soon as this goes through the further study and taking
into consideration the different suggestions that we are hearing, we
would submit to the Committee in the soonest possible time our
proposed changes to the annex.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Now, can we go to the
second point that the mayor brought up and that is about the election
39
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-2 October 23, 2014 11:37 a.m. 3
office in Bangsamoro supposed to be Comelec--that is the
constitutional body that conducts elections.
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, the electoral office will be part of the
Comelec. It will be under the direct supervision of our national
Comelec. The Commission on Elections being the single authority that
has the authority and jurisdiction to implement all election laws is
preserved. So that is our response. We look at Section 9 in particular,
Mr. Chair, of Article VII. And there, we can read that the Bangsamoro
electoral office will form part and parcel of the Comelec.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). How is it different? How
would the Bangsamoro electoral office be different from, for example,
a provincial Comelec office or a regional? Because this is essentially a
region. So a regional Comelec office in its relationship again with the
central Comelec office in Manila.
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, the difference of the proposed
Bangsamoro Electoral Office to the other Comelec provincial offices or
regional offices is the head of the Bangsamoro electoral office who
shall be appointed by the President and also the function of that office
implementing on top of the national election laws, the regional election
laws that parliament may enact that will address the specific
requirements of the electoral system in the Bangsamoro.
40
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-2 October 23, 2014 11:37 a.m. 4
So that would also be the peculiarities of this particular election
office as compared to its counterparts in the other provinces and
regions.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). So those differences arise
mainly from the fact that the Bangsamoro has a parliament, whereas
other regions do not.
MR. JULKIPLI. Yes, Mr. Chair, that would be one of the main
considerations.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Very well. So the
conduct of elections will be by the Bangsanmoro electoral office but
still under the supervision of the Comelec?
MR. JULKIPLI. Yes, Mr. Chair, it is actually part of the
Comelec.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). It is still part of the
Comelec.
MR. JULKIPLI. Yes, Mr. Chair.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). That is an important point
because, as we all know, the Comelec is a constitutional body and
there are many questions as to whether or not these other offices that
are being created are a diminution of the powers and functions of a
constitutional body. So with that in mind, I think that we can explain
that, in fact, it is still a part of Comelec.
41
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-2 October 23, 2014 11:37 a.m. 5
So Mayor Pandi, is there anything else you would like to add?
But of course, this is not the end of our discussion. We have not
decided anything here. We are going to take in all of these
suggestions and observations and bring it back. That is the function of
our hearing and we will hear all your ideas. I would just like to clarify
that although Atty. Julkipli has clearly made an explanation, we will
still be discussing the different points that you have made in your
position paper. Would you like to add something else, Mayor?
The provincial election officer of the Comelec, Atty. Yasin,
happens to be here with us today and he would like to make some
comments regarding this discussion that we are having.
Attorney, please go ahead.
MR. YASIN. Mr. Chairman, this is the provincial election
supervisor of Lanao del Sur, Atty. Nasib Yasin.
I understand that there will be created an electoral office. I hope
we will not be misinterpreted to be meddling with the affairs of your
Committee, the House of Representatives, the peace negotiation.
After all, whatever will be ratified would be the wish of the people. So
the Commission is not a hindrance on the matter. This is just I want
to clarify. Is the creation of an electoral office will, in effect, cause
reorganization from the regional level down to the municipal level?
42
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION CFDriz II-2 October 23, 2014 11:37 a.m. 6
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Yes. What is the extent of
this reorganization? I think the question that is being asked is, what is
the extent of the reorganization that you will make to the present
regional office to the present provincial office election offices when we
reorganize the Bangsamoro election office?
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, in response to the question raised,
taking into consideration the language of Section 9, it appears that
the actual personnel that will be directly affected would be the head of
the regional office. All others below, it appears, Mr. Chair, wont have
to be disturb because under this provision instead of having a regional
director, we will have a director general for the Bangsamoro electoral
office and it seems this is the only particular key position that would
have a change either in mere affiliation and in terms of additional
tasking but in terms of personnel/cfd
43
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-2 October 23, 2014 11:47 a.m. 1
MR. JULKIPLI. but in terms of personnel or who this
personality should be, it doesnt appear that there are additional
qualifications and except for the guidance that we have right here that
it shall be this person, the director general, who will head the electoral
office for the Bangsamoro will be appointed by the President from a list
of recommendees submitted by the parliament. And on the basis of
that provision it seems that there wont be a massive disruption with
respect to the organization below.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Is there any guidance in
terms of whether or not the appointee for director general will be
externallywill come from outside the present system or will be from
one of the personnel that is already in the regional office or in one of
the provincial or municipal offices? Will that director general be
completely new to the COMELEC or will be somebody that is already at
present in the COMELEC?
MR. JULKIPLI. As worded presently, Mr. Chair, there is no
such guidance.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). So the choice of the names
to be put on the shortlist is completely open. There are no
qualifications. There is no, as you say, guidance, in terms of that.
MR. JULKIPLI. Yes, Mr. Chair. On this Section 9, there is no
specific guidance on that, Mr. Chair.
44
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-2 October 23, 2014 11:47 a.m. 2
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Very well.
So the reorganization, as you say, will only be at the regional
level and not at the lower levels of the Bangsamoro Electoral Office.
Okay. Thank you.
Again, Mayor, are there other points that you would like to raise?
MR. PANDI. The LMP will just reiterate our stand about the
creation this Bangsamoro election office. Actually, this is just an
apprehension because based on experience we have seen a lot of
things in our midst so ang pinakaproblema po doon is, ang sinasabi ko
through times, what if a few years from now this Bangsamoro election
office maybe utilized for political reason. So dapat mayroon po tayong
safeguard doon para
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). I believe as it has been
laid out in the framework agreement that that kind of safeguard is--we
are depending upon the supervision of the central COMELEC. Again, I
suppose, what will be--for example, can they declare as well hot spots?
Can they declare danger areas? Can we put under COMELEC control
certain constituencies? Again, this is trying to define because this is a
new office, we have not had any experience with such an office before,
is what are the powers and functions, again, in comparison to any
other regional office? Because I think the apprehension that the
mayors are expressing is the control and having a peaceful conduct of
45
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-2 October 23, 2014 11:47 a.m. 3
elections. Again, as we have noted, this is not a problem that is
isolated only in Lanao del Sur or in Mindanao or anywhere else in the
country but it is a problem that exists everywhere.
But the response that COMELEC has is to take control of a
constituency, is to declare hot spots, this kind of thing. Is that going
to be the same? Are these going to be the same mechanisms that the
Bangsamoro Electoral Office will have?
MR. JULKIPLI. Yes, Mr. Chair. Because they are part of the
COMELEC, therefore, they are part of that independent constitutional
body that is supposed to be set up, as it is set up, to be insulated from
political influence.
Unfortunately, we know for a fact that there are cases that this
does not often happen and that there are noted cases where some
election exercise have been alleged to have been influenced one way
or another. But this electoral office, Mr. Chair, being a part of the
COMELEC will be imbued with that same constitutional independence.
And, therefore, all safeguards that are present and are being enjoyed
in order to insulate this institution from political influence will also be
imbibed by this electoral office.
And with regard to the specific competencies, for example, if
there would still be declarations of hot spots, Mr. Chair, that would still
be a power of the COMELEC en banc which the electoral office will also
46
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-2 October 23, 2014 11:47 a.m. 4
exercise as part of the COMELEC. It depends on whether the en banc
gives that direction according to the rules or regulations that it may
enact.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). So in that sense, that
mechanism is the same. I think the apprehension of political control
over the election officers arises from the fact that the director general
is nominated by the political leadership in the region. And perhaps,
that is something again that we can look at. I would not suggest
anything as drastic as imposing a rule that they must come from
outside of Bangsamoro but perhaps we can do something to
strengthen the independence. Because as we all know, in every
election, and again not only here but everywhere else, the candidates
would try to influence the electoral officer one way or the other for
certain aspects of the conduct of election. So this is again the
apprehension because in other regions, the local government does not
nominate. It is merely the COMELEC that decides.
So since it is a very important question, again, because the
COMELEC is a constitutional body and its powers are well defined in the
Constitution, it is probably something that needs to be looked at in
greater detail. And again, the question arises how much legislative
space does the Congress have to make those different amendment,
suggestions, additions to the office, I think most specifically of the
47
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-2 October 23, 2014 11:47 a.m. 5
director general of the Bangsamoro election office.
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, because this is aligned with the
agreements intention to really create an independent office also that is
very efficient and will be able to really set up and execute the type of
electoral requirements of the region, then this will be a welcome
addition because this will only further strengthen the independence. So
those would be things that I think will be well received because those
kinds of suggestions would I think strengthen the independence of
these offices and that will certainly be in line with our intentions in this
agreement. I think we could all agree that even independent of the
agreement, we should all really work for the strengthening of
independence of our electoral officials and our electoral offices.
So if the suggestion, Mr. Chair, or the additions would strengthen
and really enhance the independence and efficiency, then this will be
most welcome. I dont think there will be any problem if the
suggestions along those lines will be adopted.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Very well. Okay. Thank
you, Attorney.
Mayor, is there anything else from the LMP Lanao del Sur that
you want to bring out?
MR. PANDI. Atty. Sumagayan will have some concern.
Mr. Chairman, just a question because we have presented this
48
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION Sglrobles III-2 October 23, 2014 11:47 a.m. 6
earlier verbally. What is the intention of the law as far as the schedule
of the election is concerned? Because in the BBL
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Yes.
MR. PANDI. it was stated that the election of the members of
the parliament will be on the first Monday of May 2016 and three years
thereafter/sglr
49
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-2 October 23, 2014 11:57 a.m. 1
MR. PANDI. and three years thereafter. Our local and
national elections are held every second Monday of the month.
Was that just a mistake or that is the intention of the law?
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). That is clearlythere is an
apparent contradiction because our national and local elections are
scheduled on the second Monday of May. And in the BBL it states that
the selections will be synchronized and yet it also says first Monday of
May.
How do we resolve that apparent contradiction? Would anyone
of the panel who would like to answer that?
MR. ALI. Bismillah ir-rahman ir-raheem. Assalamu alaikum wa
rahmatulahi wa barakatuh.
Well, really the intention of the Bangsamoro Transition
Commission in providing such provision in the Bangsamoro Basic Law
is really for convenient andbecause as experienced in the past, kung
mayroon tayong sama-samang elections from national and locals,
masyado pong mahaba iyong listahan ng balota. Pag fill up pa lang
ng pangalan, aabot na ng ilang oras.
So really the intention of the party there is to make this election
and the COMELEC as well concentrate in this regionaldito sa ARMM
para maging maganda iyong election.
50
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-2 October 23, 2014 11:57 a.m. 2
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). So the dates that are in
the BBL are deliberate? It is not simply a mistake.
MR. ALI. During our discussion in the Office of the President
during the last minute, I believe in last part of August, the BTC asked
the Office of the President, Would that be okay if we put that date?
And the Office of the President agreed. Okay lang daw sa kanila iyon.
So still it is up to the Congress, the Senate, to decide kung ano
ang maganda. Pero ang intention lang po dito is paano maging
smooth iyong election dito sa Bangsamoro government na hindi ba
halu-halo, parang nationals to locals kasiiyon nga, uulitin ko, sa
experience namin in the past, noong nag-synchronize ang ARMM, ang
haba ng listahan ng balota, nauubos ang pag-fill up ng botante. Mas
mahirap na ma-disenfranchise iyong ibang botantebecause of that
experience, iyon ang parang nakikita na magandang paraan po.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Okay. But so effectively
what will happen is the Bangsamoro election office will hold two
elections one week apart. Because they will hold the local elections
for the Bangsamoro parliament and then one week later, they will also
conduct the elections for the national and local positions.
Is that correct?
51
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-2 October 23, 2014 11:57 a.m. 3
MR. ALI. Well, ang tinitingnan ko lang po dito, Kagalang-
galang na Senator, iyong intention lang po kung paano po maging
smooth iyong elections dito sa ARMM.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). No, no. We understand
that the intention is that you want to have the full attention of the
election office on the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections para hindi
namanKasi, sinasabi mo, iyon lang ang kanilang ginagawa para
doon sa halalan na iyon. Pero as a practical matter, we will have to,
again, look at that because the COMELECwe would have to ask the
COMELEC if it is a practical arrangement. Maybe it can remain
separate but perhaps give them a little more time to prepare for the
national and local elections.
Again, this is something thatthe principle is understood and
noted. But, again, as a practical matter because there are personnel
involved, there are many personnel involved, many employees
involved, the staffing, they will have to come on the first week of May
prepare for several weeks beforehand and then prepare in that
subsequent week for the national and local elections. So baka
namantanong natin sa COMELEC.
Was the COMELEC part of this discussion when the dates were
made?
52
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-2 October 23, 2014 11:57 a.m. 4
MR. ALI. Ah, yes. Sir, Kagalang-galang na Senator, ito po ay
nilagay po namin sa Bangsamoro Basic Law para sa unang election ng
Bangsamoro parliament members. Subsequent, after next na election
ng Bangsamoro parliament, pwede na po sa second week.
Pero po iyong unakasi we have also to consider that it is part
of the Bangsamoroframework agreement of Bangsamoro that there
will be an international and domestic monitors in the first Bangsamoro
parliament elections that would monitor doon sa conduct ng elections.
So isa iyon sa reason na sa first, May siya. Pero the subsequent
elections of the members of the Bangsamoro parliament, then pwede
na po doon sa second week ng May kasi we have also to consider
other
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). What happens now to all
those arguments that you made about having the full attention of the
Bangsamoro election office on the Bangsamoro elections?
Like you say that you would likebecause there will be some
confusion, you would like to minimize that confusion that is why you
have separated the two. But in the subsequent elections ipagsasabay
na.
Hindi ba kailangan i-supervise pa rin?
MR. ALI. Yes, yes. Isa po dito sa dahilan po, Senator, is iyong
itong election, parliamentary election ito, ito po ay bagong election na
53
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-2 October 23, 2014 11:57 a.m. 5
ipatutupad dito sa Bangsamoro area. Okay. This first time election is
very, very crucial considering na bago itong sistema na ito, dito natin
makikita kung paano itokung makikita na pwede itong pagsamahin
sa susunod na election after na makita iyong successful iyong
implementation, then mas maganda. Iyon po ang talagang intention.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Yes, again, that is
understood. So the term of office of the first members of parliament,
of the Bangsamoro parliament, will be three years and one week but
only for the first. That could present some difficulties in terms of
defining the terms. But, again, that is something that we can discuss
further.
I asked the question earlier. Was the COMELEC part of the
discussions when you laid out this schedule, the one week before
national local, the Bangsamoro elections?
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, most of the discussion really was
confined to the BTC
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). I cannot hear you.
MR. JULKIPLI. Im sorry. Mr. Chair, most of the discussions
were confined to the office of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission
and the Office of the President but there were efforts to also consult
the COMELEC but, of course, the position of the COMELEC would
because we put primacy to the position of the COMELEC although we
54
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION MPMENDOZA IV-2 October 23, 2014 11:57 a.m. 6
cant really say that they were apart but they were consulted and we
asked for their guidance.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Well, they doesnt hurt to
consult them again to see
MR. JULKIPLI. Opo.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). It is a practical thing, in
my view. Kaya ba nila na papuntahin lahat iyong mga teacher, iyong
mga BEI, lahat ng mga ano, tapos to conduct one election and then
send them home again and then bring them back in a week.
MR. JULKIPLI. Next week. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). That is one of the concerns
that have been raised.
Now, to Mayor Pandi/mpm
55
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION PEGutierrez V-2 October 23, 2014 12:07 p.m. 1
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). .Mayor Pandi, we have
some answers but not yet complete because again some of these
issues still have to be decided. None of these issues will be decided
here today. We are just opening up, we will just like to listen to all of
you to find out what your concerns are, what your views and insights
and observations are to the law. And again the view, your own view
as representing your League of Municipalities is certainly taken into
account and there are several aspects to it that we have brought to
light and essentially that is the term. We are going to have to resolve
the issue of how come the first MPs have a different term than the
subsequent MPsnumber one. Secondly, is the Comelec actually
capable in terms of the practical considerations to conduct elections of
that scope one week apart from one another? Dahil alam naman natin
na ang election everything stops, everything is focused on the election
and we will have to inquire of the Comelec as to whether or not they
feel that they can do as suggested. So would that be the extent of the
comments coming from the League?
MR. PANDI. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Let me just reiterate that that
was an honest question because that was brought to our attention
whether the intention of the law was to have a desynchronized
election. As we have said, we are bound to support the entirety of the
Bangsamoro Basic Law but on the specifics we only have to raise
56
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION PEGutierrez V-2 October 23, 2014 12:07 p.m. 2 issues so that by the time we will present this to our people everything
will be clear. In fact, if the intention is to have a desynchronized
election, that can be acceptable to some but of course one week is too
short for elections to be held in ARMM. History will tell us that patapos
na yung canvassing ng national election sa Senate, yung ARMM
election or election sa Lanao Del Sur hindi pa natapos. So it is parang
physically impossible na mag-e-election tayo ng Monday, ARMM
election, and then another election next Monday. So if the intention is
to really desynchronize, then we might as well put it clear on a wider
gap than just one week. Yun po ang stand namin pero honestly we
thought all along that it was a clerical error or as Atty. Julkipli had said
oversight.
Thank you very much.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Again, there is also a
prospect that we will conduct the national elections with members of
the Bangsamoro parliament not yet proclaimed. So again these are
practical considerations that we must take note of and that we will
bring to our discussions when we write the final version.
I would just like to expand on Mayor Pandis comments. In my
view, what we are doing here is putting meat on the bones of the
framework agreement. Because the framework agreement is silent on
many aspects of it and especially the administrative details, the
57
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION PEGutierrez V-2 October 23, 2014 12:07 p.m. 3
organizational details, etcetera, and such as this kind of scheduling.
So it is up to us here in Congress to finally try to resolve these certain
issues and hopefully from the discussion that we have here, we will be
able to get the ideas of everyone who is involved especially in the
specific issues like the one we have been discussing and make those
detailed. Kumbaga sa pangkaraniwan na batas we are trying to put in
the rules and regulations the actual conduct of how everything is going
to be done.
MR. JULKIPLI. Mr. Chair, if I may be recognized.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Yes, Attorney, please.
MR. JULKIPLI. I think there was actually one question that we
werent able to discuss yet, about the ARMM employees, sir. Mayor
Pandi alsoso that we could share.
THE CHAIRMAN (SEN. MARCOS). Yes. Well, you are quite
right, I did not go back to it only because this is also something that
we have discussed before. But again, for the information of everybody
else we would like to hear from OPAPP through their representative
what is their view on the concern. The concern is what will happen to
the present ARMM employees. Because if we are going to abolish
ARMM, are they simply going to be removed from their jobs, what is
going to happen to them? There is also further question that follows
from that is that becauseas far as I understand from our discussions
58
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION PEGutierrez V-2 October 23, 2014 12:07 p.m. 4
with OPAPP that all of the agencies of ARMM will be abolished. It will
then be up to the Bangsamoro parliament how to reorganize itself.
They will decide which agencies will remain and if they do remain, are
they exactly the same as what they were before or will they be
reorganized? And what happens especiallyI think the real concern is
what happens to those agencies that are completely abolished, what
happens to those employees? Of course, then the issue of the pay
grade, what will happen to their pay grades? Do they maintain their
seniority? All of those again practical questions.
So again, Atty. Julkipli, if you would like to respond.
MR. JULKIPLI. Yes, Mr. Chairman. As mentioned and as by
the good Senator, there are so many details that are still left to be
filled with respect to the reorganization of the bureaucracy of the
would-be Bangsamoro after the abolition of the ARMM. And because of
the magnitude of the considerations that we have to take into account
and also by the sheer number of the affected employees, we really
have to be certain that the full rights and entitlements of each and
every one of thembe they the employees that may be absorbed later
or be they the employees whose offices may be totally abolished and
so on. Those will be the details that will be supplied by a transition
plan that is now being devised. I just like to inform the body that as
we speak right now that the transition team that has been formed
59
-
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT WITH THE COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION PEGutierrez V-2 October 23, 2014 12:07 p.m. 5
among the ARMM government present, the government represented by
the OPAPP-GPH panel and the MILF, there is a transition team now
discussing the transition plan which will cover the many different
aspects that will be required to ensure a smooth transition from the
ARMM to the Bangsamoro. And one of the first topics and subjects
that they should discussthat they should come up with
recommendations for is on the matter of the employees. And from the
last hearing the Senate Committee already made it a point to inform
the members of this transition body to speed up and fast-track the
process of coming up with a plan for the employees. And just to give
some form of a context on how this transition plan would look like,
certainly this would take care of all the rights and entitl