Iqbal: Task as commission head ‘big challenge’

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Mohaqher Iqbal, chair of the negotiating panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and appointed head of Transition Commission (TransCom), said the task given to him is “a big challenge.”

Among the first tasks the TransCom on the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro has to complete are the laying down of the preliminaries, internal rules in particular, and the recruitment of some personnel who would work on it, he said.

"It's a challenge… a big task ahead of us. But both panels are bent on completing the process before March," said Iqbal in an interview over Oblate-ran radio station in Cotabato City.

President Benigno Aquino III appointed on Monday the 15 members of the TransCom with Iqbal as chair, seven of which were nominated by the Philippine government and eight recommended by the MILF.

The appointees include Akmad Sakkam, Johaira Wahab, Talib Benito, Asani Tammang, Pedrito Eisma, Froilyn Mendoza and Fatmawati Salapuddin Robert Alonto, Abdulla Camlian, Ibrahim Ali, Raissa Jajurie, Melanio Ulama, Hussein Munoz and Said Shiek.

Secretary Teresita Deles of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) lauded the appointment of the TransCom members as she stressed that its balanced membership reflects the President’s commitment to peace process.

The TransCom is tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will be certified urgent by the President and submitted to Congress for passage.

It will undergo a plebiscite in the proposed Bangsamoro core territory.

Once ratified, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) is deemed abolished and the new Bangsamoro region will be formally established.

"The appointment of these individuals who represent vital Bangsamoro constituencies and have proven their commitment to pursuing amity and goodwill in Muslim Mindanao is a key step on the roadmap to the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Political Entity," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

Deles said that with the appointment of TransCom members, the "mechanism to move forward on the roadmap set by the FAB is firmly in place."

"Many challenges and obstacles lie ahead as the 15-member Commission organizes itself and embarks on a collaborative endeavor to draw out stakeholders’ sentiments in shaping inclusive, participatory and empowering social and political institutions in the future Bangsamoro region," she added.