The Manila Times | December 19, 2012

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles, on Monday, said that the head of the Transition Commission that will craft the Bangsamoro Basic Law will come from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Deles said that under the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the Transition Commission shall be composed of 15 members—seven to be chosen by the government and eight, including the chairman, to be selected by the MILF.

However, she said that the MILF and the government have yet to submit the names of candidates for the commission.

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino 3rd issued Executive Order 120 creating the Transition Commission that will draft the Bangsamoro law as provided in the Framework, the instrument that will establish the new autonomous entity.

The commission has a P100-million initial budget from the contingent fund of the Office of the President. Appropriation for the succeeding years shall be incorporated in the budget proposals under the President’s office.

The order also provided that the Transition Commission may put an office and directly coordinate with the House of Representatives and other government agencies to perform its functions. It may also recommend to Congress and the people, when necessary, proposed amendments to the Constitution.

The commission shall also assist in identifying development programs together with the Bangsamoro Development Authority and the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute—two institutions affiliated with the MILF.