Improvement of governance seen in new Bangsamoro region

By TENG LAUBAN DATU
Cotabato City Bureau Chief .

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) will usher in better governance to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In an interview on One News Channel’s Agenda, Dureza cited capacity-building and transparency as key improvements brought by the passage of BOL.

“We learned from the lessons of the past, (that) we need capacitation, we need more transparency,” he said.

Dureza said the law has allowed civil society groups to be more active in equipping the people in governing the region, especially in the transition period until 2022.

He also said many countries have expressed willingness to help in the capacity-building aspect.

“Many countries now are coming around, who have been with us in the negotiation. Sabi nila tutulong kami on the capacitation part,” he added.

Dureza said the parliamentary system of government of the Bangsamoro will further safeguard the region from corruption.

“In the parliament, if the members feel that they don’t enjoy your trust because you violate certain things, they can remove you anytime, and install a new one anytime,” he said.

In a phone patch interview during the television program, Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chair Ghazali Jaafar said the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other groups will campaign for the ratification of the BOL in the upcoming plebiscite on Jan. 21, 2019.

“The leadership of the MILF, Bangsamoro Transition Commission, and Bangsamoro Justice Party will go around the provinces where the Bangsamoro Regional Government will be implemented and BOL will be approved by the people,” he said.

Jaafar said he is already optimistic of the outcome.

“The support of the people for BOL is overwhelming. I don’t think it can be stopped,” he said. (with reports from opapp)