Aquino to appoint 15-man Transition Commission

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III could name the 15-man Transition Commission (TC) that will draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law within the next two weeks following the submission of a list of nominees to him.

Presidential adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said Saturday that the list, which contains eight nominees of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to the TC, was forwarded to the Office of the President after they were coursed through the Malaysian facilitator.

The government peace panel submitted some 14 names, seven of whom will be selected by the President, she said.

"I think within one or two weeks, the appointment papers can come," Deles said.

The official expressed hope in the establishment of the TC.

"While they were designated or nominated by the two sides, what we're really hoping is that it will be a Bangsamoro Commission that can work together to draft the best law that can possibly be," she said.

Deles said that "gender, ethnic generational balance" will be reflected in the government nominees.

Earlier, the MILF said that the nominees will be composed of woman, indigenous peoples, senior military commander of the MILF, and aleem, among others.

The Muslim rebel group will head the TC. (SDR)