Decentralization/Federalism – 2014
2014
The Government of the Philippines (GPH)-MILF Decision Points, Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, Annex on Power Sharing agreements, and the final Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro stipulate decentralization processes and delineation of power between the central and Bangsamoro governments on issues related to political and fiscal jurisdiction.
President Aquino issued an executive order on December 17, 2012 creating the Transition Commission, which was charged with drafting the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The Commission is composed of 15 members, 8 of which are chosen by the MILF and 7 of which are chosen by the government.[1]
On April 15, 2014, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission submitted the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.[2] The BBL called for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and provided for the new entity’s political structure and delineated powers to the Philippine and Bangsamoro government in the form of reserved, concurrent, and exclusive powers. It delineates the transfer of authority of Bangsamoro historical and cultural sites from the central government to the Bangsamoro government[3] and for fiscal autonomy of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region from the central government.[4] The BBL outlines management of all natural resources as a power exclusive to the Bangsamoro government. [5]
On August 20, the MILF submitted a final draft of the BBL to President Aquino,[6] which he submitted to Congress on September 10.[7] [8] Though Congress immediately began reviewing the BBL, the bill failed to pass in 2014.
[1] “Philippine president forms Transition Commission to draft Bangsamoro basic law,” Xinhua General News Service, December 17, 2012.
[2] “Philippines to fast-track review of draft Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Xinhua General News Service, April 15, 2014.
[3] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article IX, Section 21.
[4] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article XII.
[5] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article V, Section 3.
[6] “Final Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to Philippine President,” Xinhua General News Service, August 21, 2014.
[7] “Philippine president submits law on Muslim south to Congress,” Anadolu Agency, September 10, 2014.
[8] “Philippine report gives details of draft autonomy bill submitted by president,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, September 11, 2014.