CEBU -- Four of nine district lawmakers from Cebu City and Province expressed support Monday for suspending deliberations on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
While the four congressmen said they all support the search for peace in Mindanao, they also said the more urgent task now is to get to the bottom of what happened last January 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, where 44 elite policemen died in pursuit of a terrorist.
“I support the peace process. However, I have reservations on the BBL on constitutional grounds,” said Representative Joseph Ace Durano (Cebu Province, fifth district). “With the massacre of our SAF (Special Action Force) men, I have reservations now as well as on the sincerity and ability of the MILF to be a partner of the Philippine Government in bringing about lasting peace in Mindanao.”
Durano said he is keeping an open mind and hopes that the investigation will address all reservations about the BBL.
Questions
Former House deputy speaker Pablo Garcia, however, said that passing the BBL would be an exercise in futility.
He told the Senate hearing on the constitutional issues of the draft Bangsamoro law that the proposal is “palpably and incorrigibly unconstitutional.”
Among the questions raised against the BBL is that it would grant the Bangsamoro greater powers than those allowed the two autonomous regions identified in the 1987 Constitution, namely, the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Among others, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has also pointed out that a parliamentary government for the Bangsamoro cannot be created, while the rest of the country remains under a presidential form of government.
“The inconvenient yet fundamental and compelling truth,” Garcia said, “is that unless and until the Constitution is amended or revised by the Filipino people, Congress cannot, I’m sure, enact the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.”
‘Elementary justice’
Interviewed separately, Representative Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu Province, fourth district) said he, too, agreed with suspending deliberations on the BBL, until the country gets a clearer picture of what happened in Mamasapano.
“I join our fellow Filipinos in condemning the killing of our policemen,” Salimbangon said.
Representative Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City, south) said that before the massacre in Mamasapano, he already saw that the BBL had too many objectionable provisions.
“The massacre of our law enforcers has enraged millions of Filipinos. It is now our collective mandate, not just of the lawmakers, to assume a keen, incisive and even a contemptuous attitude to the peace efforts proffered by the BBL proposal,” Abellanosa said.
What’s important, said Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. (Cebu Province, first district), is that the rule of law must be upheld.
“We must remember that our lost heroes were there to enforce the rule of law and they were the very people who swore to keep peace. If we cannot commit to elementary justice, then we cannot commit to lasting peace,” Gullas said.
As of press time, district Representatives Gwendolyn Garcia, Wilfredo Caminero and Luis Gabriel Quisumbing had yet to respond to requests for their comments.
Assurance
Two other Cebuanos in Congress who represent party-list organizations also weighed in on the discussion.
Representative Raymond Democrito Mendoza said that TUCP Party-List remains committed to the search for peace in Mindanao.
“We are also committed to justice for the SAF 44. We will ensure that the BBL conforms to our Constitution and national laws. If we don’t work for peace now, the alternative will be another vicious form of warfare, such as that waged by ISIS,” Mendoza said.
According to initial reports, the skirmish last January 25 involved not only the SAF operatives against MILF troops, but also members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway organization that has previously expressed support for ISIS.
Representative Francisco Ashley Acedillo of Magdalo party-list said that the government should secure a commitment from the MILF that in case of future encounters with the BIFF or Abu Sayyaf, the MILF would order their fighters to disengage, whether it’s the police or the military that’s involved.
“The President must demand this from the MILF leadership,” Acedillo said.
“As commander-in-chief, President Aquino must share both in the successes and achievements of his troops, as well as with their failures and losses. Sadly in Mamasapano, it is the latter that he must bear as well,” said Acedillo, who served in the Air Force. - By Elias O. Baquero(With Sunnex/Sun.Star Cebu)
Showing posts with label Peace Process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peace Process. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Friday, October 31, 2014
ARMM employees await dialogue on employment status in new Bangsamoro region
COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Career service employees of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) eagerly look forward to a planned dialogue with lawmakers on the status of their employment in relation with the ARMM’s proposed replacement with a new Bangsamoro entity.
Members of the ARMM’s rank-and-file personnel, whose appointments were screened and attested by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), want officials of the commission to participate in the dialogue, too.
Lawyer Laisa Alamia, executive secretary of ARMM, on Thursday said Trade Union Congress of the Philippines Partylist Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza announced here last week that legislators will dialogue with regional officials and employees on employment concerns amid the impending creation of the Bangsamoro outfit based on the final peace compact between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Mendoza was among members of Congress that held consultations last week in Cotabato City and nearby provinces on the legal ramifications of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the enabling measure for the creation of a Bangsamoro government based on the government-MILF March 27, 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.
“The supposed meeting was to take place this week. It must have been reset. We are just waiting for a notice toward that end,” Alamia said.
Employees of ARMM’s more than 40 line agencies and support offices, whose functions and powers were devolved by Malacanang to the regional government based on the region’s charter, Republic Act 9054, are apprehensive the transition, from the autonomous region to the MILF-led Bangsamoro government, will render them jobless.
Alamia said while ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman has continuously been assuring regional employees of protection from the CSC, their feelings and sentiments are something beyond the governor’s control.
“Even so, there is overwhelming support for the peace process from the ARMM’s personnel,” Alamia said.
Last week’s congressional consultations on the draft BBL in Central Mindanao were presided over by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the ad-hoc House committee tasked to enact the bill into law.
The ARMM government has no fewer than 30,000 employees, more than half of them working in the region’s Department of Education. - By John Unson (philstar.com)
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Cebu lawmakers: Consult more on the Bangsamoro proposal
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| Rep Raymond Menoza with BBL Ad Hoc Com hearing in Cotabato City - Oct 23 |
CEBU - Six Cebuanos in Congress said Saturday they support the government’s dream of a lasting peace in Mindanao, but would like to hear what their constituents think of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Public consultations in Cebu may be held next month or in January 2015, said Representative Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP), one of the co-authors of House Bill 4994. He joined the 75 Mindanao district and party-list lawmakers for a public hearing in Cotabato City last Oct. 23.
“What is important is that we come to the table and try to find another solution, since the old solution which was pursued in the past 40 years has not ended the war,” Mendoza said.
Elections in 2016
Both the House and Senate versions of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law were submitted last month, six months after the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro by the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The Aquino administration is working on the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, as well as the plebiscite in the Bangsamoro core territories, before the end of 2015, so that the first set of officials can be elected in 2016.
Five of nine Cebuano district representatives said they have yet to go over the details of the draft law and consult constituents, and could not yet categorically say whether or not they will vote for the bill. (Mendoza, the only Cebuano co-author of the bill, does not represent a district, but a party-list organization.)
Autonomy
“Thousands have risked their lives to achieve an elusive goal: peace. The Bangsamoro Basic Law is geared to give life to the constitutional provision of granting local autonomy, especially to those areas where the government has failed to provide adequate service to the people,” said Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas (Cebu Province, First District).
But while he said he was inclined to vote in favor of the bill, “nevertheless, Congress, especially those who drafted the bill, must examine piece by piece its provisions so as not to make any offensive stance against the Constitution,” Gullas also said.
Representative Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu Province, Fourth District) said he needs to study it further, having received only recently a copy of the framework agreement.
“This (Bangsamoro law) will open up the possibility of shifting our form of government to a federal one,” said Salimbangon.
According to the drafts, the Bangsamoro Government, as an autonomous region, will have “legislative powers over such matters as administrative organization and ancestral domain, which are not granted to local government units.”
However, the President will exercise general supervision, and the National Government will continue to exercise power over, among others, national defense, security, foreign relations, monetary policy, and customs and tariffs, according to a primer provided by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
Transition
Representative Raul del Mar (Cebu City, North) said he will thoroughly go over the provisions of the bill, as well as the corresponding arguments, before taking a position.
Representative Joseph Ace Durano (Cebu Province, Fifth District) said he will study how the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law reconciles the creation of this new political entity with the constitutional provisions on the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), among others.
If the basic law is passed and ratified in a plebiscite, the ARMM will be deemed abolished. A Bangsamoro Transition Authority appointed by President Benigno Aquino III will serve as the interim government, until the Bangsamoro officials are elected and can assume office.
Representative Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City, South) said he will vote in favor of the Bangsamoro Basic Law if it will prove to be useful in promoting peace and unity in the country.
Abellanosa said, though, that he has many questions about the draft law.
Questions
“As previously ruled by the Supreme Court when it invalidated the 2008 memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain proposed by the previous administration, recognizing an entity ‘in preparation for independence’ violates the national integrity provisions. Hence, the next question is, ‘Does this constitute a preparation for independence of the Bangsamoro?” he said.
The congressman said he will suggest that the law “explicitly state that the Bangsamoro remains bound within the framework of the Constitution and explicitly recognizes national sovereignty.”
Both House Bill 4994 and Senate Bill 2408 provide that the National Government will retain its power over defense and external security, foreign policy, monetary policy, citizenship, postal services, immigration, some aspects of customs and tariff supervision, common market and global trade, and intellectual property rights.
The National and Bangsamoro Governments, according to the bills, will share some powers, including the power over social security, land registration, the penitentiary, auditing, civil service, justice, disaster risk reduction and management, and public order and safety.
The historic signing last March of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro capped negotiations that started in January 1997, facilitated beginning in 2001 by the Government of Malaysia.
By Elias O. Baquero, Isolde D. Amante and Princess Dawn H. Felicitas - SunStar
Friday, October 24, 2014
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) Ad Hoc committee hearing in Cotabato City
October 23, 2014 - Rep. Raymond Mendoza at Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) Ad Hoc committee hearing in Cotabato City with ARMM Gov. Hataman and various officials of congress and local government.
For other BBL committee schedule see link
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Peace panels to create team to oversee ARMM-Bangsamoro transition
The peace panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are putting together a team that would coordinate preparations for the smooth transition of government functions from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).
In a press statement, government peace panel head Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the creation of the composite team was agreed upon during the three-day meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last September 27 to 29. She said the team will be in charge of all the preparations in anticipation of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by Congress and its subsequent ratification through a plebiscite.
“The composite team will be made up of members coming from the central and ARMM governments and the MILF,” Ferrer said.
“The terms of reference of said composite team is being drafted and is expected to be signed soon,” she added.
Job loss fears to be addressed
Ferrer said that among the supposed functions of the composite team is to address the concerns of thousands of ARMM employees who might get affected by the transition.
“The Civil Service Commission and other relevant agencies will be consulted to ensure a smooth transition,” Ferrer said.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)-Nagkaisa had earlier estimated that about 24,000 government workers in the ARMM might lose their jobs once the region is dissolved and replaced by the Bangsamoro government.
The TUCP-Nagkaisa said the Civil Service Commission (CSC) should make sure that the existing workforce will be integrated into the new Bangsamoro government through "lateral transfer and merit-based integration."
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said that civil service rules will be followed and civil service eligibilities and entitlements of ARMM employees will be respected during the transition phase.
“We imagine that there may be some reorganization of the governmental structures in consonance with the proposed ministerial form [of government of the Bangsamoro],” Deles said, emphasizing that, “certainly in doing that, there will be a clear plan, separation benefits if necessary.”
“We’ll follow the laws of the land. Certainly to those who have civil service eligibility, we’ll have different options open to them such as being transferred to another area or by choice, being separated with due compensation. This will all undergo due process,” Deles said.
Deles added that the transition process will only begin once the BBL is passed and ratified in a plebiscite.
BTA interim government
The BBL will serve as the legal basis for the creation of the Bangsamoro juridical entity that will replace the ARMM.
Under the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between the government and the MILF last March, the BTA shall serve as the interim government prior to the establishment of the Bangsamoro government and the assumption of its elected leaders in 2016.
According to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP), aside from the creation of the composite team, both panels have recently formalized the bodies and mechanisms that will roll out the normalization plans stated under the CAB.
These bodies include the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), which shall oversee the decommissioning of firearms of MILF combatants; the Joint Normalization Body (JNC), which shall coordinate the different normalization processes and mechanisms; and the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) which, under the CAB, “shall study and recommend the appropriate mechanisms to address legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people, correct historical injustices, and address human rights violations through land dispossession.” — Elizabeth Marcelo/BM, GMA News
In a press statement, government peace panel head Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the creation of the composite team was agreed upon during the three-day meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last September 27 to 29. She said the team will be in charge of all the preparations in anticipation of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by Congress and its subsequent ratification through a plebiscite.
“The composite team will be made up of members coming from the central and ARMM governments and the MILF,” Ferrer said.
“The terms of reference of said composite team is being drafted and is expected to be signed soon,” she added.
Job loss fears to be addressed
Ferrer said that among the supposed functions of the composite team is to address the concerns of thousands of ARMM employees who might get affected by the transition.
“The Civil Service Commission and other relevant agencies will be consulted to ensure a smooth transition,” Ferrer said.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)-Nagkaisa had earlier estimated that about 24,000 government workers in the ARMM might lose their jobs once the region is dissolved and replaced by the Bangsamoro government.
The TUCP-Nagkaisa said the Civil Service Commission (CSC) should make sure that the existing workforce will be integrated into the new Bangsamoro government through "lateral transfer and merit-based integration."
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said that civil service rules will be followed and civil service eligibilities and entitlements of ARMM employees will be respected during the transition phase.
“We imagine that there may be some reorganization of the governmental structures in consonance with the proposed ministerial form [of government of the Bangsamoro],” Deles said, emphasizing that, “certainly in doing that, there will be a clear plan, separation benefits if necessary.”
“We’ll follow the laws of the land. Certainly to those who have civil service eligibility, we’ll have different options open to them such as being transferred to another area or by choice, being separated with due compensation. This will all undergo due process,” Deles said.
Deles added that the transition process will only begin once the BBL is passed and ratified in a plebiscite.
BTA interim government
The BBL will serve as the legal basis for the creation of the Bangsamoro juridical entity that will replace the ARMM.
Under the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between the government and the MILF last March, the BTA shall serve as the interim government prior to the establishment of the Bangsamoro government and the assumption of its elected leaders in 2016.
According to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP), aside from the creation of the composite team, both panels have recently formalized the bodies and mechanisms that will roll out the normalization plans stated under the CAB.
These bodies include the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), which shall oversee the decommissioning of firearms of MILF combatants; the Joint Normalization Body (JNC), which shall coordinate the different normalization processes and mechanisms; and the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) which, under the CAB, “shall study and recommend the appropriate mechanisms to address legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people, correct historical injustices, and address human rights violations through land dispossession.” — Elizabeth Marcelo/BM, GMA News
Monday, October 13, 2014
Over 24,000 Filipinos to lose job next year: TUCP
MANILA: Many workers in the Philippines and abroad are expected to be displaced next year, labor groups and recruitment industry officials has warned the national government.The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) was quoted as saying by Philippine Star that about 24,000 local government employees are likely to lose their jobs with the setting up of Bangsamoro Transition Council next year.
“Workers employed in municipalities, cities, provincial and regional offices will be displaced once the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is dissolved and taken over by the Bangsamoro Transition Council,” TUCP executive director Louie Corral reportedly said.
“The major responsibility of the government is to provide safety nets for these workers who had been serving the bureaucracy quietly,” he reportedly said, adding that the Aquino government apparently has no not yet planned for the impending displacement of government employees.
He also called on the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to step in and take the necessary course of action.
“We are wondering why the commission has not geared up for one of the very important elements of the transition issue,” TUCP official Gerard Seno was quoted as saying.
Seno further said the CSC should ensure that the affected workers are integrated into the new Bangsamoro government using lateral transfer and merit-based integration rather than leaving their fate to circumstance.
Officials of the job placement industry have reported that around 4,000 Filipino workers employed in US bases in Afghanistan are also expected to be displaced by the impending pullout of US troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year.
They reportedly said about 4,000 Filipinos are still posted in Bagram Air Base and Kandahar Airfield and only around a thousand will be retained for maintenance of the military facilities.
Some of the workers are expected to return home starting November as their companies shut down after losing bids to supply logistics to the US forces.
But the workers are hoping that they will still be needed by international contractors hired by the US government, the recruitment officials were quoted as saying by Philippine Star. - The Filipino Times
Massive displacement of local, foreign workers seen next year
MANILA, Philippines - Many workers here and abroad are expected to be displaced next year, labor groups and recruitment industry officials warned the national government yesterday.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said about 24,000 local government employees are expected to lose their jobs with the setting up of Bangsamoro Transition Council next year.
“Workers employed in municipalities, cities, provincial and regional offices will be displaced once the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is dissolved and taken over by the Bangsamoro Transition Council,” said TUCP executive director Louie Corral.
He said the 24,000 workers are the largest number of employees to be affected as the new Bangsamoro government becomes operational.
The government, Corral said, has the primary responsibility to provide safety nets for these workers who had been serving the bureaucracy quietly.
Corral said the Aquino government apparently has no preparation in place for the impending displacement of government employees.
He called on the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to step in and take the necessary course of action.
“We are wondering why the commission has no preparations towards one of very important elements of the transition issue,” TUCP official Gerard Seno said.
Seno said the CSC should ensure that the affected workers would be integrated into the new Bangsamoro government using lateral transfer and merit-based integration rather than leaving their fate to circumstance.
Also yesterday, officials of the job placement industry reported that close to 4,000 Filipino workers employed in US bases in Afghanistan are also expected to be displaced.
Recruitment officials said thousands of overseas Filipino workers are likely to be affected by the impending pullout of US troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year.
They said about 4,000 Filipinos are still working in Bagram Air Base and Kandahar Airfield and only around a thousand will be retained for maintenance of the military facilities.
Some of the workers are expected to return home starting November as their companies closed down after losing bids to supply logistics to the US forces.
But the workers are hoping that they will still be needed by international contractors hired by the US government, the recruitment officials said. - By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)
‘Bangsamoro should regulate Lanao plants’
THE BANGSAMORO entity that will be created to govern a Muslim autonomous region should have the primary supervision and regulation of the hydroelectric power plants in Lake Lanao, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said on its Web site.
Citing the delineation of powers in the Annex on Power-sharing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), the MILF said that the Bangsamoro entity would have primary jurisdiction on the issues of power generation in Mindanao.
“It is on this premise that such claim that the regulation of existing hydropower plants in Lake Lanao will remain primarily under the concerned national government agencies is not accurate, and, therefore, should be corrected at once,” the MILF said in an editorial posted on its Web site luwaran.com.
Miriam Colonel-Ferrer, the chief negotiator of the government peace panel, said that the Lake Lanao power plants will remain primarily under the concern of the national government during the Ad Hoc Committee hearing on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) last week at the House of Representatives.
However, Ms. Ferrer clarified that power plants not connected to the national transmission grid will be under the regulatory powers of the Bangsamoro government.
Under Article XIII on Economy and Patrimony, Section 22, on Inland Waters, the proposed bill says that “the Bangsamoro shall have exclusive powers over inland waters, including but not limited to lakes, marshes, rivers and tributaries.”
The proposed bill further states that “the Bangsamoro Parliament shall enact laws on the regulation, management and protection of these resources.”
According to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the current base-load of electricity in Mindanao comes largely from hydroelectric sources, which contributes roughly more than 700 megawatts to help meet the overall power demand of 1,300 megawatts in the Mindanao region.
BANGSAMORO COUNCIL WILL LEAD TO JOB CUTS
Meanwhile, labor groups have urged the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to step in and address the possible displacement of some 23,000 public sector workers -- most of whom are teachers -- in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) once the Bangsamoro Transition Council takes over by next year.
“The labor center expresses concern over the unknown fate of these workers who will be dislodged once the Bangsamoro law takes effect. We call on the Civil Service Commission to step in and take the necessary course of action,” said Gerard R. Seno, Associated Labor Unions (ALU) executive vice-president, in a press release.
Of the 23,000 workers in the region that may find themselves jobless, 18,000 are teachers.
“This is a significant number of public sector employees ever to be displaced in the course of Philippine government paving the way for the new Bangsamoro,” said Louie M. Corral, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) executive director, in the same release. “The government has the primary responsibility to provide safety nets for these workers who had been serving the bureaucracy quietly... They should be integrated because they are already an asset.”
For his part, CSC Commissioner Robert S. Martinez earlier said that employees which will be affected may apply for other positions if their posts will be dissolved. -- BusinessWorld Online with Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas
Citing the delineation of powers in the Annex on Power-sharing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), the MILF said that the Bangsamoro entity would have primary jurisdiction on the issues of power generation in Mindanao.
“It is on this premise that such claim that the regulation of existing hydropower plants in Lake Lanao will remain primarily under the concerned national government agencies is not accurate, and, therefore, should be corrected at once,” the MILF said in an editorial posted on its Web site luwaran.com.
Miriam Colonel-Ferrer, the chief negotiator of the government peace panel, said that the Lake Lanao power plants will remain primarily under the concern of the national government during the Ad Hoc Committee hearing on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) last week at the House of Representatives.
However, Ms. Ferrer clarified that power plants not connected to the national transmission grid will be under the regulatory powers of the Bangsamoro government.
Under Article XIII on Economy and Patrimony, Section 22, on Inland Waters, the proposed bill says that “the Bangsamoro shall have exclusive powers over inland waters, including but not limited to lakes, marshes, rivers and tributaries.”
The proposed bill further states that “the Bangsamoro Parliament shall enact laws on the regulation, management and protection of these resources.”
According to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the current base-load of electricity in Mindanao comes largely from hydroelectric sources, which contributes roughly more than 700 megawatts to help meet the overall power demand of 1,300 megawatts in the Mindanao region.
BANGSAMORO COUNCIL WILL LEAD TO JOB CUTS
Meanwhile, labor groups have urged the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to step in and address the possible displacement of some 23,000 public sector workers -- most of whom are teachers -- in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) once the Bangsamoro Transition Council takes over by next year.
“The labor center expresses concern over the unknown fate of these workers who will be dislodged once the Bangsamoro law takes effect. We call on the Civil Service Commission to step in and take the necessary course of action,” said Gerard R. Seno, Associated Labor Unions (ALU) executive vice-president, in a press release.
Of the 23,000 workers in the region that may find themselves jobless, 18,000 are teachers.
“This is a significant number of public sector employees ever to be displaced in the course of Philippine government paving the way for the new Bangsamoro,” said Louie M. Corral, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) executive director, in the same release. “The government has the primary responsibility to provide safety nets for these workers who had been serving the bureaucracy quietly... They should be integrated because they are already an asset.”
For his part, CSC Commissioner Robert S. Martinez earlier said that employees which will be affected may apply for other positions if their posts will be dissolved. -- BusinessWorld Online with Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas
Concerns over possible dislocation of ARMM workers
Labour confederation says 24,000 government workers in Mindanao would be left jobless once a new body takes over from ARMM
Manila: A labour confederation has expressed fears that some 24,000 government workers in Mindanao would be left jobless once a new body takes over from the administration of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
“The labour centre expresses concern over the unknown fate of these workers who would be dislodged once the Bangsamoro law takes effect. We call on the civil service commission to step in and take the necessary course of action. We are wondering why the commission has no preparations towards one of the very important elements of the transition issue,” Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labour Unions (ALU) said.
Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front had largely focused on the political and economic aspects of the planned Bangsamoro — a self-sustaining self-rule region envisioned to be comprised by Muslim dominated areas in Central and Western Mindanao. Authorities had all but completely ignored or had forgotten about the government workers who would be left without jobs once the transition starts.
It can be recalled that in March this year, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a peace agreement, ending more than two decades of conflict with the Christian-dominated central government in Manila.
According to Seno, the labour group is proposing the civil service commission oversee transition matters pertaining to the labour sector and ensure the workforce to be integrated into the new Bangsamoro government would consider absorbing those currently employed in ARMM, with a merit-based integration adopted rather than leaving displaced employees to fend for themselves.
TUCP executive director Louie Corral said: “This is a significant number of public sector employees to be displaced. But the government has the primary responsibility to provide safety nets for these workers who had been serving the bureaucracy quietly. Rather than allowing these people fall through the crack, they should be integrated as they are already an asset.”
Sources said although a peace agreement had been signed between MILF and the government, it could still take several months until a new authority could be set up to replace ARMM.
The ARMM was set up during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos as a result of the 1996 peace agreement between Moro National Liberation Front.
More than two decades after ARMM was established incumbent President Benigno Aquino III, as part of his promise to MILF, started work on dismantling ARMM which he described a “failed experiment” in self-rule. - By Gilbert P. Felongco, Correspondent Gulf News
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Manila: A labour confederation has expressed fears that some 24,000 government workers in Mindanao would be left jobless once a new body takes over from the administration of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
During a recent House of Representatives committee deliberation on the provisions on the proposed Bangsamoro Law, officials of the civil service commission admitted to Rep. Raymond Mendoza of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Party list they have not made any plans concerning possible dislocation of workers once an administration for the envisioned self-rule region steps in.
“The labour centre expresses concern over the unknown fate of these workers who would be dislodged once the Bangsamoro law takes effect. We call on the civil service commission to step in and take the necessary course of action. We are wondering why the commission has no preparations towards one of the very important elements of the transition issue,” Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labour Unions (ALU) said.
Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front had largely focused on the political and economic aspects of the planned Bangsamoro — a self-sustaining self-rule region envisioned to be comprised by Muslim dominated areas in Central and Western Mindanao. Authorities had all but completely ignored or had forgotten about the government workers who would be left without jobs once the transition starts.
It can be recalled that in March this year, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a peace agreement, ending more than two decades of conflict with the Christian-dominated central government in Manila.
According to Seno, the labour group is proposing the civil service commission oversee transition matters pertaining to the labour sector and ensure the workforce to be integrated into the new Bangsamoro government would consider absorbing those currently employed in ARMM, with a merit-based integration adopted rather than leaving displaced employees to fend for themselves.
TUCP executive director Louie Corral said: “This is a significant number of public sector employees to be displaced. But the government has the primary responsibility to provide safety nets for these workers who had been serving the bureaucracy quietly. Rather than allowing these people fall through the crack, they should be integrated as they are already an asset.”
Sources said although a peace agreement had been signed between MILF and the government, it could still take several months until a new authority could be set up to replace ARMM.
The ARMM was set up during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos as a result of the 1996 peace agreement between Moro National Liberation Front.
More than two decades after ARMM was established incumbent President Benigno Aquino III, as part of his promise to MILF, started work on dismantling ARMM which he described a “failed experiment” in self-rule. - By Gilbert P. Felongco, Correspondent Gulf News
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Group fears displacement of 2,400 ARMM gov't workers with creation of Bangsamoro
Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)-Nagkaisa is worried that around 2,400 government employees in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will lose their jobs once the region is dissolved and taken over by the Bangsamoro Transition Council.
In a statement, the group said the public sector workers are currently employed in municipalities, cities, provincial and regional government offices in the region.
“The labor center expresses concern over the unknown fate of these workers who will be dislodged once the Bangsamoro law takes effect,"said Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU).
He said the Civil Service Commission should step in, adding the CSC does not seem to have prepared for "one of the very important elements of transition."
During House deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law chaired by TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza, CSC resource persons could not answer
TUCP-Nagkaisa said the CSC should make sure that the existing workforce will be integrated into the new Bangsamoro government through "lateral transfer and merit-based integration".
Meanwhile, TUCP Executive Director Louie Corral said that it is the responsibility of the government to look after the welfare of public sector workers.
"Rather than allowing these people fell through the cracks, they should be integrated because they are already an asset," he said. — JDS, GMA News
In a statement, the group said the public sector workers are currently employed in municipalities, cities, provincial and regional government offices in the region.
“The labor center expresses concern over the unknown fate of these workers who will be dislodged once the Bangsamoro law takes effect,"said Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU).
He said the Civil Service Commission should step in, adding the CSC does not seem to have prepared for "one of the very important elements of transition."
During House deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law chaired by TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza, CSC resource persons could not answer
TUCP-Nagkaisa said the CSC should make sure that the existing workforce will be integrated into the new Bangsamoro government through "lateral transfer and merit-based integration".
Meanwhile, TUCP Executive Director Louie Corral said that it is the responsibility of the government to look after the welfare of public sector workers.
"Rather than allowing these people fell through the cracks, they should be integrated because they are already an asset," he said. — JDS, GMA News
Thursday, September 18, 2014
House begins work on Bangsamoro law amid kinks
MANILA - The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is expected to be the key to a lasting peace in Mindanao. However, the start of its legislation has turned out to be rather problematic.
House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said the closed door organizational meeting of the ad hoc committee on Tuesday turned out some problems.
"Unang-una, kita niyo naman kahapon kaagad that's organizational meeting of ad hoc committee, marami na kinks. And si committee has requested the committee on rules to have to meet kahit may plenary kami Wednesday next week. We will grant them, pwede magsimula sila before session starts 9 a.m. 'til 2 p.m. Mas kailangan quorum pagdating ng hapon," he said.
Gonzales thumbed down plans to invite as resource persons former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Nur Misuari, who has been blamed for the 2013 siege of Zamboanga.
"DOJ (Department of Justice) has no intention of applying for the withdrawal of warrant of arrest. Di ko alam how committee can go about it considering we have no power to stop implementation of warrant dahil that's a judicial function, not a legislative function."
The House is on day 3 of plenary deliberations on the 2015 national budget. Under the rules, no committee can hold hearings during this time unless with prior authorization.
Gonzales said all committees have been allowed to meet during the coming 3-week break.
"Nothing prevents the committees including the ad hoc committee to meet during the break. Nakita ko schedule, napag-agree-han mukhang at least 7 ang gusto outside committee meetings," he said.
The ad hoc committee finds itself in the same boat as the energy committee, which is also hammering out an equally important piece of legislation -- a joint resolution authorizing President Aquino to contract additional power generating capacity to address a power crisis in the summer of 2015.
Both committees will be granted permission to hold hearing alongside the budget plenary for so long as they can rush to the plenary during quorum calls.
WARRANTS VS MNLF, BIFF
Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez, who chairs the committee, told ABS-CBN they agreed to ask the DOJ to apply for a suspension of the warrants of arrest for Nur Misuari and Umbra Kato to allow them to attend the congressional hearings in Manila on behalf of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
The panel expects to finish the bill by November 30 and have it enacted by Congress by December 17.
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte previously declared "we have set the ball rolling in creating this Ad Hoc committee and it's systems go" for the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
"The passage of a Bangsamoro Basic Law is our fundamental role as legislators recognizing and responding to the call of our diverse culture as Filipinos. It is also our contribution to a global quest for genuine and sustainable peace," Belmonte stressed.
The ad hoc committee agreed to hold open public hearings, starting September 24 until December 17, five days a week, with hearings to be conducted in Zamboanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Marawi, among others.
The 75-member committee represents leaders and members of the majority coalition and five members of the minority group.
HB 4994 is entitled: "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. 6743, entitled 'An Act providing for the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,' and for other purposes."
The authors of the proposed law consists of the leaders of the majority coalition led by Belmonte, among them are: Deputy Speakers Henedina Abad, Giorgidi Aggabao, Sergio Apostol, Pangalian Balindong, Carlos Padilla and Roberto Puno; with Gonzales; and Representatives Mel Senen Sarmiento, Enrique Cojuangco, Mark Llandro Mendoza, Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Antonio Lagdameo, Jr., Rolando Andaya Jr., Nicanor Briones, and Raymond Democrito Mendoza. - By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said the closed door organizational meeting of the ad hoc committee on Tuesday turned out some problems.
"Unang-una, kita niyo naman kahapon kaagad that's organizational meeting of ad hoc committee, marami na kinks. And si committee has requested the committee on rules to have to meet kahit may plenary kami Wednesday next week. We will grant them, pwede magsimula sila before session starts 9 a.m. 'til 2 p.m. Mas kailangan quorum pagdating ng hapon," he said.
Gonzales thumbed down plans to invite as resource persons former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Nur Misuari, who has been blamed for the 2013 siege of Zamboanga.
"DOJ (Department of Justice) has no intention of applying for the withdrawal of warrant of arrest. Di ko alam how committee can go about it considering we have no power to stop implementation of warrant dahil that's a judicial function, not a legislative function."
The House is on day 3 of plenary deliberations on the 2015 national budget. Under the rules, no committee can hold hearings during this time unless with prior authorization.
Gonzales said all committees have been allowed to meet during the coming 3-week break.
"Nothing prevents the committees including the ad hoc committee to meet during the break. Nakita ko schedule, napag-agree-han mukhang at least 7 ang gusto outside committee meetings," he said.
The ad hoc committee finds itself in the same boat as the energy committee, which is also hammering out an equally important piece of legislation -- a joint resolution authorizing President Aquino to contract additional power generating capacity to address a power crisis in the summer of 2015.
Both committees will be granted permission to hold hearing alongside the budget plenary for so long as they can rush to the plenary during quorum calls.
WARRANTS VS MNLF, BIFF
Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez, who chairs the committee, told ABS-CBN they agreed to ask the DOJ to apply for a suspension of the warrants of arrest for Nur Misuari and Umbra Kato to allow them to attend the congressional hearings in Manila on behalf of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
The panel expects to finish the bill by November 30 and have it enacted by Congress by December 17.
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte previously declared "we have set the ball rolling in creating this Ad Hoc committee and it's systems go" for the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
"The passage of a Bangsamoro Basic Law is our fundamental role as legislators recognizing and responding to the call of our diverse culture as Filipinos. It is also our contribution to a global quest for genuine and sustainable peace," Belmonte stressed.
The ad hoc committee agreed to hold open public hearings, starting September 24 until December 17, five days a week, with hearings to be conducted in Zamboanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Marawi, among others.
The 75-member committee represents leaders and members of the majority coalition and five members of the minority group.
HB 4994 is entitled: "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. 6743, entitled 'An Act providing for the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,' and for other purposes."
The authors of the proposed law consists of the leaders of the majority coalition led by Belmonte, among them are: Deputy Speakers Henedina Abad, Giorgidi Aggabao, Sergio Apostol, Pangalian Balindong, Carlos Padilla and Roberto Puno; with Gonzales; and Representatives Mel Senen Sarmiento, Enrique Cojuangco, Mark Llandro Mendoza, Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Antonio Lagdameo, Jr., Rolando Andaya Jr., Nicanor Briones, and Raymond Democrito Mendoza. - By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
House Ad Hoc panel working full swing to pass Bangsamoro Basic Law
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| Ad Hoc Comm. on Bangsamoro Chair Rufus Rodriguez conducting its first meeting with the 8 Vice-Chairs and its Secretariat 2014Sep11 |
While the House plenary conducts marathon sessions zeroing in on the proposed 2015 P2.606-Trillion national budget, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte today declared "We have set the ball rolling in creating this Ad Hoc committee and it's systems go" for the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Hon. Feliciano Belmonte, Jr."The passage of a Bangsamoro Basic Law is our fundamental role as legislators recognizing and responding to the call of our diverse culture as Filipinos. It is also our contribution to a global quest for genuine and sustainable peace," Belmonte stressed.
Wasting no time, the House Ad Hoc Committee to review, evaluate and proposed legislation relative to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, chaired by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, has approved its Rules of Procedure to guide its deliberations.
"We are tired of war. We cannot afford to lose time. We want peace," Chairman Rodriguez exclaimed after their organizational meeting Tuesday morning, echoing the sentiments of lawmakers especially those from Mindanao.
Gratified by the enthusiasm shown by his colleagues during the initial Ad Hoc meeting, Rodriguez revealed that they agreed to hold open public hearings, starting September 24 until December 17, five days a week, with hearings to be conducted in Zamboanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Marawi, among others.
Hon. Rufus B. Rodriguez"We have decided to give one day for each of these areas to give ample time for concerned people in the said areas to participate actively in the deliberations," Rodriguez added.
The 75-member Ad Hoc Committee represents leaders and members of the majority coalition and five members of the minority group.
During the interim, the committee will be completing the line-up of resource person-invitees or guest who could give valuable insights and proposal to improve or fine-tune the provision in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law contained in HB 4994.
HB 4994 is entitled: "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. 6743, entitled 'An Act providing for the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,' and for other purposes."
It is interesting to note that the authors of the proposed law consists of the leaders of the Majority coalition led by Speaker Belmonte, among them are: Deputy Speakers Henedina Abad, Giorgidi Aggabao, Sergio Apostol, Pangalian Balindong, Carlos Padilla and Roberto Puno; with Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II; and Reps. Mel Senen Sarmiento; Enrique Cojuangco; Mark Llandro Mendoza; Eleandro Jesus Madrona; Elpidio Barzaga, Jr.; Antonio Lagdameo, Jr.; Rolando Andaya, Jr.; Nicanor Briones; and Raymond Democrito Mendoza.
Recalling recent events, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), signed on March 27, 2014, signalled the end of the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao that has posed major setbacks to the full progress and development of the country, Belmonte and his co-authors pointed out.
"The negotiated CAB outlines the mechanisms, processes, and modalities through which the parties aim to establish and entrench a regime of peace, development, social justice, and the rule of law in the conflict-ridden areas and communities in Southern Philippines," the authors stressed.
Furthermore, inspired by the constitutional foundation on autonomous regions under the 1987 Constitution, the CAB prescribes the design for a new political entity to build upon the vital reforms introduced by the current government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), they added.
"The proposed Bangsamoro entity will enhance existing systems and procedures, as well as establish a new set of institutional arrangements and modalities between the central government and the autonomous government with respect to power-sharing, wealth- and revenue-sharing, transitional aspects, and normalization," Belmonte assured.
Chairman Rodriguez said that, among other important considerations, his committee is will never compromise on the issue of constitutionality of all the provisions embodied in the proposed Basic law.
"We will make sure that it will be a win-win framework for all Filipinos," Rodriguez stressed. - by Dionisio P. Tubianosa, Media Relations Service-PRIB
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