Electoral/Political Party Reform – 2014
2014
The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and Annex on Power Sharing and Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro mandate the governance structure of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and creation of a Bangsamoro political entity. On April 9, 2014, the MILF declared the formation of its political party the United Bangsamoro Justice Party.[1] In November, the party vocalized its plans to finalize its organizational structure and ultimately register in the Commission on Elections.[2]
The Bangsamoro Basic Law draft provides for the creation, composition, and representation of legislative and executive authority of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.[3] The Bangsamoro Basic Law draft was first presented to President Aquino in April 2014, [4] to be submitted and approved by Congress. On August 20, the MILF submitted a final draft of the BBL to President Aquino,[5] which he submitted to Congress on September 10.[6] [7] Though Congress immediately began reviewing the BBL, the bill failed to pass in 2014.
[1] “Philippine rebel group forms political party,” Deutsche Presse-Agentur, April 16, 2014.
[2] “Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel to form political party for national election,” Xinhau General News Service, November 2, 2014.
[3] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article VII.
[4] “Philippines to fast-track review of draft Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Xinhua General News Service, April 15, 2014.
[5] “Final Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to Philippine President,” Xinhua General News Service, August 21, 2014.
[6] “Philippine president submits law on Muslim south to Congress,” Anadolu Agency, September 10, 2014.
[7] “Philippine report gives details of draft autonomy bill submitted by president,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, September 11, 2014.