PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte launched on Friday, February 24, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.
Duterte led the launching of the 21-member panel, including a SunStar Davao columnist, who will draft proposals for a Bangsamoro Basic Law, which shall be submitted to the Office of the President for submission to the Congress.
Based on the Executive Order No. 8, the commission shall be composed of 21 members to be appointed by the President.
Out of the total membership, 11 members including the chairperson shall be selected from the nominees of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Among the named members is Ghazali Jaafar who will serve as BTC chair.
Ghazali served as a chair of MILF Negotiating Chair from 1996-1997. Other members include lawyer Jose Lorena, lawyer Maisara Dandamun-Latiph, Mohagher Iqbal, Abdulraof Macacua, Ibrahim Ali, lawyer Hussin Amin, Samira Gutoc, SunStar Davao columnist Datu Mussolini Lidasan, executive director of the Ateneo de Davao University-based Al Qalam Institute, Haron Abas, lawyer Raissa Jajurie, Said Shiek, Dr. Susana Anayatin, Romeo Saliga, Hatimil Hassan, Hussein Muñoz, Melanio Ulama, Gafur Kanain, lawyer Firdausi Ismail Abbas, lawyer Omar Yasser Sema, and Ammal Solaiman.
Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Jesus Dureza said that the launching is a milestone of the Bangsamoro peace process.
"Today is a milestone, that has been promised. We have a golden opportunity. Now if we lose this (opportunity), it will be forever lost, we have to strike now. We call on members of BTC to come together using the experience and competency to craft a law which the congress will approve," he said.
Dureza added that aside from BTC, bigger tables will also be given importance for a more inclusive Bangsamoro.
"Road to peace is not a smooth, if we stay on the course we will get there," Dureza said.
Duterte urged the new BTC members to do their task well and that the BTC should just present an acceptable output and he will spearhead it implementation.
"I am urging BTC to navigate hindrances and obstructions and find way to peace. I will ask the Filipinos to vote for it," he said.