Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27) — The decision to extend by three more years the Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s term remains solely in the hands of the legislative branch, Malacañang reiterated on Thursday.
“The President has always been consistent that he leaves the issue of extending the transition period in the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) to Congress,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told a media briefing.
While President Rodrigo Duterte has been approached by both supporters and those against calls for BTA’s additional three-year term from 2022, his “consistent advice” is for them to closely coordinate with lawmakers, Roque said.
Duterte personally supports the extension until 2025, according to his Cabinet members.
President Rodrigo Duterte is supporting the possible extension of the Bangsamoro transition period to three more years after its lapse in 2022, his Cabinet officials confirmed Thursday. cnnphilippines.com]
The BTA is the interim government of the BARMM, the political entity which replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2019 through the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The law was a result of decades-long negotiations between the government and Moro rebels who fought for self-determination.
To extend the BTA’s term until 2025, Congress needs to pass a measure that would postpone the first regular election in the region, which has been set for 2022.
The Commission on Elections has asked lawmakers to come up with a decision by July so that necessary preparations can be made in case the regional polls would push through.
