‘Appoint indigenous people to Bangsamoro transition body’

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino was asked yesterday to appoint representatives of indigenous people (IP), including women, to the 15-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

Reps. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. and Nancy Catamco, national cultural communities committee chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively, have filed House Resolution 3008 urging Aquino to include IPs to the transition body.  

The lawmakers said the empowerment of IPs within the Bangsamoro entity is guaranteed by the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro through their participation in drafting and enacting the Bangsamoro Basic Law. 

“Our indigenous brothers and sisters within the Bangsamoro possess their distinct culture and history that must be uniquely addressed. Therefore, they must be given the appropriate representation and significant participation in the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law which will affect their lives,” Catamco and Baguilat said.

 Carmen Lauzon Gatmaytan, one of the founders of the Ecumenical Commission for Displaced Families and Communities, said Muslim women should be given the opportunity to hold key roles in the Bangsamoro political entity. 

“We want the women to seat in the transition commission. We are assured by the government of the inclusion of women in the commission,” Gatmaytan said in a forum in Ortigas, Pasig City. 

“Opportunities should be given to these women so that they will be empowered,” Gatmaytan, who also serves as the consultant for Social Mobilization Unit of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, said.

The government is preparing the list of appointees to the commission. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front had forwarded the names of its eight nominees. 

The President is expected to announce the members of the commission before the March 29 appointments ban takes effect, in compliance with Commission on Elections Resolution 9385. – Paolo Romero, Helen Flores