By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. lauded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for making the Bangsamoro peace process a “top priority.”
This, after Marcos administered the oath of office to new members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Friday, Aug. 12.
Galvez thanked Marcos for his resolve to pursue peace-building initiatives in the country.
“This occasion is how the President demonstrates his promise of and full commitment to move forward the Bangsamoro peace process. We would like to thank you, His Excellency, for making the Bangsamoro peace process a top priority of the national government,” he said in a speech delivered during the oath-taking rites.
Galvez added that the appointments of the new BTA members mirror Marcos’ commitment to promoting national unity.
Marcos’ peace agenda, he said, “underscores the importance of inclusivity and equal representation in governance.”
“Under your administration, under the banner of unity, we are extending the hand of reconciliation and solidarity to all those who have turned away from armed rebellion and now walk the path of peace,” he said. “As you have emphasized, Mr. President, no one should be left behind in the peacebuilding and development process. Everyone should have a role to play and must benefit from the dividends of peace and economic progress.”
The ratification of Republic Act (RA) 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) through a plebiscite held in 2019 paved the way for the creation of BARMM and the establishment of the BTA.
The BTA, composed of 80 members appointed by the President, is a governing body tasked to pass crucial legislation to operationalize the BOL and exercise legislative and executive powers during the region’s transition period.
Under the BOL, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) shall lead the BTA, sans prejudice to the participation of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
The BTA’s 41 members shall be nominated by the MILF, while the remaining 39 members shall be endorsed by the Philippine government. – gb
