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BARMM proposes P98-B budget
COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has formally submitted the proposed budget for the region’s 2024 fiscal year, totaling P98.46 billion with education, infrastructure and health as the top three priorities. BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim Al Haj on Wednesday said that he personally handed over the proposed Bangsamoro Expenditure Program for 2024 to Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong during a symbolic ceremony held on Tuesday. Ebrahim said education emerged as the top priority, securing the largest share of the proposed budget with an allocation of P30.2 billion, stressing that the amount reflects the region’s commitment to enhancing the educational landscape in BARMM, aiming to provide better opportunities for its residents. The allocation will be used by the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education to fund various education programs, scholarships and the development of schools and learning centers, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all, Ebrahim explained. Following closely is infrastructure, receiving a substantial budget of P17.6 billion from the Ministry of Public Works, which signals BARMM’s dedication to developing its physical infrastructure to strengthen economic growth, connectivity and a better quality of life for the Bangsamoro people. MPW Minister Arch. Eduard Guerra said that they intend to expedite the construction and maintenance of essential infrastructure facilities, such as flood management, bridges and water systems. The post BARMM proposes P98-B budget appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec, Barmm sign MOA for teachers participating in BSKE
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Barmm’s Ministry of Basic, Higher, Technical, and Education (MBHTE) inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to protect the rights of the teachers as the frontliners during elections. The MOA is in line with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023 and pursuant to Bangsamoro Autonomous Act No. 35, known as the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, in consonance with meaningful autonomy under (R.A.) No. 10756, otherwise known as the Election Service'', on October 19, at Dusit Thani Hotel in Davao City. The agreement also aims to emphasize the honoraria, travel allowance, and other benefits of the teachers in Barmm for their role in maintaining the confidentiality of voter’s ballot......»»
Scores killed in Gaza strikes as new aid convoy arrives
Scores of Palestinians were killed in central Gaza on Sunday after Israel stepped up its strikes on the war-torn enclave and another convoy of 17 aid trucks arrived as the Hamas-run territory faces "catastrophic" shortages. With the violence raging unchecked, Iran said the region could spiral "out of control". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning to Lebanon's Hezbollah, saying getting involved would be "the mistake of its life". Washington warned any actors looking to inflame the conflict that it would not hesitate to act in the event of any "escalation". Hamas militants in Gaza stormed across the border into Israel on 7 October, launching a raid that killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated, or burnt to death on the first day, according to Israeli officials. They also seized more than 200 hostages in the worst-ever attack in Israel's history. Israel has hit back with a relentless bombing campaign that has so far killed more than 4,600 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry. Officials said the central town of Deir al-Balah had been particularly badly hit overnight from Saturday to Sunday. The ministry said at least 80 people had been killed in the overnight raids on central Gaza, which destroyed more than 30 homes. At the hospital morgue, an AFP journalist saw the bodies of many children on the bloodied floor, where distraught families wept as they identified the victims. Among them was a man clutching his dead toddler and a young boy who pulled back a blanket over his little sister's body. "My cousin was sleeping in his house with his daughter in his arms. He was a man with no record, nothing to do with the resistance," said Wael Wafi, gazing at the body of his cousin, his arm still wrapped around his three-year-old daughter Misk. Also Sunday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said that 29 of its staff had been killed since the start of the war in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying half of them were teachers. On Saturday it had given a toll of 17. The scale of the bombing has left basic systems unable to function. The UN said dozens of unidentified bodies had been buried in a mass grave in Gaza City because cold storage had run out. Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier was killed near the Gaza border by an anti-tank missile fired by militants inside the enclave, the army said. 'Accident' as Israel hits Egypt post Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned the war with Hamas could take months. "It will take one month, two months, three months, and at the end, there will be no more Hamas," Gallant said. A second convoy of 17 trucks of aid entered Gaza from Egypt on Sunday following an initial delivery of 20 trucks on Saturday after intensive negotiations and US pressure. Separately, an AFP journalist saw six trucks leaving Rafah after filling up from dwindling fuel stocks held at the crossing as the enclave faces catastrophic shortages after Israel cut off supplies of food, water, fuel, and electricity. It later resumed water supplies to the south on 15 October. Although Egyptian media said another 40 trucks would enter Gaza on Monday, the UN says the enclave needs 100 trucks per day to meet the needs of Gaza's 2.4 million residents. And so far, there have been no deliveries of fuel, with UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini warning Sunday that supplies would run out "in three days". "Without fuel, there will be no water, no functioning hospitals, and... aid will not reach many civilians in desperate need," he said. The Hamas government said 165,000 housing units -- half of those in the entire Gaza Strip -- had been destroyed in the raids. With fears growing that the conflict could spread, Israel on Sunday admitted accidentally hitting an Egyptian border post, apologizing for the incident which Cairo said had left an unspecified number of border guards with "minor injuries". Risk of regional escalation There were fresh exchanges of fire over Israel's northern border with Lebanon as fears grew that Hezbollah, a close ally of Hamas and Iran, could enter the conflict, prompting Israel's Netanyahu to warn it would be "the mistake of its life". "We will strike it with a force it cannot even imagine, and the significance for it and the state of Lebanon will be devastating," he said. Iran also warned about the conflict spreading on Sunday, with top diplomat Hossein Amir-Abdollahian cautioning that if Washington and Israel did not "immediately stop the crime against humanity and genocide in Gaza.. the region will go out of control". But Washington said it wouldn't hesitate to act in the event of any "escalation", just hours after the Pentagon moved to step up military readiness in the region. "If any group or any country is looking to widen this conflict and take advantage of this very unfortunate situation that we see, our advice is: don't," US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on ABC News. On Sunday, Pope Francis used his weekly Angelus prayer in Rome to plead for an end to the bloodshed. "War is always a defeat, it is a destruction of human fraternity. Brothers, stop!" he said. He later held a 20-minute conversation with US President Joe Biden about "conflict situations in the world and the need to identify paths to peace", the Vatican said. Biden later discussed with war with the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, the White House said. The US president also held talks with Netanyahu, said the White House, adding: "The leaders affirmed that there will now be continued flow of this critical assistance into Gaza." In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron's office announced he would be traveling to Israel on Tuesday for talks with Netanyahu. Protesters marched in several European capitals on Sunday. At least 10,000 people rallied in support of Israel in Berlin as Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to stamp out a resurgence of anti-Semitic incidents linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Thousands gathered in Paris to demand an end to Israel's operation in Gaza, the first pro-Palestinian rally in the French capital that wasn't banned on security grounds. The post Scores killed in Gaza strikes as new aid convoy arrives appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bangsamoro Municipality Passes A Landmark Ordinance On LGBTQIA+ Community
Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao - In a significant stride towards ensuring equal rights and protection for the LGBTQIA+ community, the Municipal Council of Panglima Sugala has passed a comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinance, No. 001. This landmark decision comes after a series of campaigns, highlighting the pressing need for safeguarding the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Bangsamoro region, amidst increasing acts of violence and discrimination. HUMAN RIGHTS Caravan headed by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Philippines, along with Google, Commission on Human Rights and implemented by Mujer LGBT+ Organisation. The urgency to address the plight of the LGBTQIA+ community was also recognized by the Bangsamoro Parliament through resolutions 524 and 526 in 2021, which called for a thorough investigation into instances of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Emphasizing the significance of these resolutions, they are expected to contribute towards protecting LGBTQIA+ individuals from illegal acts, while preventing discrimination, harassment, and inhumane treatment. Human Rights Training/Workshop lead by Mujer LGBT+ Organisation. Bangsamoro Region has been marked by a series of reported cases of LGBTQIA+ members being subjected to harassment, physical attacks, and even murder in recent years. The passage of this ordinance is seen as a crucial step towards curbing these acts of violence and promoting tolerance, acceptance, and equality within the community.The passage of the ordinance was spearheaded by Panglima Sugala Vice Mayor Dayang Iman Sahali, with support from the Mujer LGBT+ Organization, the Commission on Human Rights, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany through their Human Rights Caravan program. The collaborative efforts of these organizations and individuals have been instrumental in ensuring the successful enactment of this legislation along with the members of the Municipal legislative council. This landmark passage was welcomed by the Executive Director of Mujer LGBT+ Organisation Alvin ''Toni Gee'' Fernandez, saying "Our organization is overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing the news of the passage of the landmark law. For years, we have dedicated ourselves tirelessly to create a safe and inclusive space for the Moro LGBTQIA+ community in Bangsamoro. The importance of anti-discrimination ordinances has never been more crucial than now. We firmly believe that these measures serve as a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a future where every Moro individual is valued, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive. This achievement is a testament to the resilience and determination of our community, and we will continue our unwavering commitment to championing equality and justice for all in Bangsamoro." Panglima Sugala Municipal Government Officials with Mujer LGBT+ Organisation What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the lack of a national anti-discrimination law in the Philippines, which has remained unresolved in the Congress for the past 24 years. This void has left LGBTQIA+ communities reliant on local legislation for protection and deprived them of their basic human rights for decades. The passage of this ordinance is a strong message that local communities are determined to initiate change and create an inclusive and safe environment for all. Panglima Sugala Municipality - Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Ordinance No. 001 Under the newly enacted anti-discrimination ordinance, the LGBTQIA+ community in Panglima Sugala will be afforded vital protection against all forms of discrimination, including denial of access to public services, education, employment, and healthcare due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The ordinance also empowers victims of discrimination to seek legal redress by providing a clear avenue to file complaints and ensuring the enforcement of penalties against offenders. ''Whether people agree with it or not, it is a fact that people with different SOGIEs are humans as well. They deserve protection along with every Filipino in the Philippines. The passage of this ordinance is sending a message of inclusivity and acceptance to my colleagues in the Bangsamoro region. It shows that Panglima Sugala local government recognizes the rights and needs of all sectors of society, including those with varying SOGIEs and those living with HIV. By enacting this ordinance, we hope to set a precedent and inspire other municipalities in the Bangsamoro region to follow suit and implement similar measures to protect the rights of marginalized groups.'' - Vice Mayor Sahali strongly affirmed. Panglima Sugala Vice Mayor Dayang Iman Sahali This historic passage of comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinance No. 001 adds momentum to the ongoing struggle for equal rights in the Bangsamoro region. It is seen as a beacon of hope for the LGBTQIA+ community, setting a precedent for other municipalities and cities in the region to address their own local legislation and embrace inclusivity.While this ordinance is a positive step forward, advocates and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community continue to push for the timely passage of the national anti-discrimination bill in the Philippines Congress. The hope is that such a law will provide comprehensive protection and recognition of the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the country.As society progresses towards acknowledging and respecting the diversity of its citizens, the passage of this anti-discrimination ordinance in Panglima Sugala is a commendable milestone in the long journey towards equal rights and acceptance for all, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity. The post Bangsamoro Municipality Passes A Landmark Ordinance On LGBTQIA+ Community appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bangsamoro people stand for Palestine
“We are a living testimony of how difficult it is to live in a war. This is why we stand in strong solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and we call on the international community to strengthen the demand to address the root causes of war, so there will be no more deaths and despair." The post Bangsamoro people stand for Palestine appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
‘Teacher item for sale’ allegations to be probed
General Santos City — The Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has created a special investigation committee to look into the alleged extortion and selling of position for teachers that amounted to at least P300,000. In a statement, MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal stressed that the allegations are tainting the reputation of the Ministry. This comes after Kapatagan town, Lanao del Sur Mayor Raida Maglangit through her Facebook account divulged that a P300,000 fee is allegedly collected just to get a teacher position. She even said that despite of the qualifications and even with masters’ degree, some candidates are being dropped because they could not afford the fee. “I have created a special committee to ferret out the truth…We are not saying that this is happening in the Ministry, we are not also saying that it is happening outside the Ministry, but we will assure you that we shall give teeth to the committee to investigate and find the truth in and outside the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education. We will leave no stones unturned, we will find the truth,” Iqbal said. The minister also lamented that being a cum laude is not only the basis of being hired and there are processes needed to be followed, adding that a candidate must possess the basic requirements such as relevant course graduated, the relevant Civil Service qualifications, trainings, oral and written results, among others. Iqbal added that all applicants aspiring for a position gone through rigorous competitive processes before they will be ranked. He firmly believed that there are no irregularities in getting of teachers by MBHTE, however, it is important for the truth to come out and punish those who are found out to be doing the illegal acts. The post ‘Teacher item for sale’ allegations to be probed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BARMM ‘land of peace,’ says minister
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim announced during the 9th World Peace Summit of global leaders held recently in South Korea that the “Bangsamoro region is now a land of peace.” Ebrahim issued the statement before 1,800 world leaders who attended the Peace Summit held at Grand Hyatt, Incheon in South Korea last 18 September 2023. “Today, I stand before all of you with utmost humility and say that the Bangsamoro is now a land of peace, prosperity, and justice where Muslims, Christians, Indigenous Peoples’ and our Lumad brothers and sisters co-exist and live in harmony,” he said. Ebrahim joined over 1,800 world leaders of the Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light and peace advocates from around the globe in celebrating the 9th anniversary of the World Peace Summit. The BARMM chief minister said the event served as a testament to over nine years of unwavering commitment to peacebuilding and conflict resolution in the Philippines and abroad. In the same forum, Ebrahim also called upon everyone to unite and continue working toward the shared vision of peace and justice. “I also shared that during that time we had ended more than 40 years of unrest in the Southern Philippines when we signed the comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Government of the Philippines,” Ebrahim said. The post BARMM ‘land of peace,’ says minister appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BARMM inflation remains at 5.1%
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine Statistics Authority in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao announced that the inflation rate in the region last month remained at 5.1 percent which was last recorded in July 2023. BARMM-PSA director Engr. Akan Tula said on Monday that the region’s inflation rate is currently at an acceptable level in an up-and-down situation.” “The inflation rate depends on the changes in the supply and demand of basic commodities in the region in which if there is scarcity on supply and increase in demand, the price will eventually increase and also the inflation rate,” Tula said. He added that several major factors that contributed to the inflation rate such as the cost of food and non-food beverages, restaurant and accommodation services including housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels. Tula claimed that among the regions in the country, Eastern Visayas still recorded the lowest inflation rate at 3.1 percent, followed by Cordillera Administrative Region at 3.9 percent and Zamboanga Peninsula at 4.3 percent, while Central Luzon recorded the highest inflation rate at 7.0 percent. In the provinces of BARMM, Tawi-Tawi recorded the lowest inflation rate at 2.7 percent, followed by Basilan at 3.5 percent, Lanao Del Sur at 4.0 percent, Sulu at 4.1 percent while Maguindanao still recorded the highest inflation rate at 7.7 percent The post BARMM inflation remains at 5.1% appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BARMM needs to increase enrollment in basic education
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao should work on increasing the number of enrollees in the basic education system. In a recent Senate hearing on the preparedness of basic education schools, Gatchalian lamented that BARMM has the lowest student participation rates nationwide. During the School Year 2020-2021, the BARMM’s participation rate in Kindergarten stood at 53 percent, notably lower than the nationwide average of 66 percent. Similarly, in elementary education, the BARMM’s regional participation rate was 69 percent as opposed to 89 percent nationwide. The region's participation rates in junior and senior high school further plummeted to 37 percent and 13 percent, respectively. In contrast, the nationwide participation rates for junior and senior high schools during SY 2020-2021 were considerably higher at 81 percent and 49 percent, respectively. Based on the average low cohort survival rate in BARMM, Gatchalian cited that for every 100 learners in the region who enter Grade 1, only 17 graduate from Grade 12. While only 51 graduate from senior high school for every 100 learners nationwide who enter Grade 1. "I believe that the first order of business in BARMM is to promote schooling and the second order is to retain learners in school,” he said, urging the officials: “Bring the kids to school and retain them.” Citing his recent discussions with BARMM governors, Gatchalian said it became apparent that many children in the region drop out of school to help out in their families' work on the farms. “They're forced to work at an early age because of poverty. But, of course, in the long run, the situation may not be conducive to their long-term well-being," said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education. Gatchalian previously pushed for an enhanced back-to-school program to increase enrollment in the Bangsamoro region. He also sought to strengthen the implementation of the Alternative Learning System in the area “to enhance the skills and abilities of the current working population” as well as out-of-school children and youth. The post BARMM needs to increase enrollment in basic education appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nina Lim-Yuson — A lifetime of girl scouting
The president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Nina Lim-Yuson, grew up in a family and home of Girl Scouts. Her grandmother, Pilar Hidalgo-Lim, was one of the co-founders of the GSP. “It was actually my Lola Pilar who suggested to Josefa Llanes Escoda, the GSP founder, to go to America to learn about girl scouting.” This tidbit of history, Nina shared in an online interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE. Pilar Hidalgo-Lim became GSP president, and so did Nina’s mother, Estefania Aldaba-Lim, who served as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Nina’s sister too, the eminent broadcast journalist, Cheche Lazaro, was a Girl Scout. Coming from a lineage of women achievers, Nina could not have chosen a different path. It was scouting that formally introduced the family to social responsibility, skills development and citizenship. Her brothers were also Boy Scouts. “I started when I was six years old and it was my Lola Pilar who inducted me as a Brownie. It used to be called Brownie because we were still using the American pattern,” she related. She belonged to Troop Number One, the first to be organized by the GSP national headquarters. In high school at the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School of the Philippine Women’s University, she became a junior and later a senior Girl Scout. College would briefly end her Girl Scouting as she focused on her studies. Along the way, she also danced with the Bayanihan Folk Dance Company. It was not unexpected that she would return to scouting, her first love, and her first extra-curricular activity. For the last 36 years, she has been active in various organizations and volunteer work. She founded the Museong Pambata. She is a recipient of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service and is active in its various social development efforts. What Nina brings to her post is the legacy of leadership that had been passed on to her through generations of women leaders in the family. “My Lola Pilar was my idol. She was such a nice person and I never knew her totally as a president. I knew her more as a loving lola from all the stories she related when we rode up to Baguio. “My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite. She was very career-minded. I learned naman from her a lot of things, like being thrifty and having a list of things to do. In terms of organization, she was like that. Because she was in government. And, you know, when we started Museo, while it was actually my concept, I learned a lot from her. She would call me up at 5 o’clock in the morning and she would rattle off what needed to be done, like ‘number one, number two and so on.’ That was her. And I’m glad that I worked with her for six years in Museo. She was the president and I was the executive director for six years. I took over in 2000 as president and chief executive officer. And then, I stepped down in 2017.” Girl Scouts who read and tell stories Nina was elected president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines for the term 2021-2024 during its 2021 national convention. From day one, she shared, “My purpose was to reach out to the community-based troops because we have always been school-based. Many young women now have social problems so we need to reach out to the communities through our community-based troops.” Also on top of her priorities is literacy development, a cause that she addressed even in the Museo Pambata. She explained, “My advocacy has always been education. So, I was very concerned because the Asian Development Bank reported in 2022 that the World Bank found out that our Filipino children at ages 9 and 10 cannot read. So, I felt that because girl scouting is all over the country, with 96 local councils, the organization could serve as a vehicle for improving literacy in our country. “We started the Girl Scout Storyteller project because storytelling affects the heart first before the mind. When young people start with storytelling, they will love the stories and then the written word. They would then want to read. “We now have storytelling in economically challenged communities and we have partners. We sent out 2,500 books throughout the country with the help of our partner couriers.” Initially, she sought the help of her family foundation “to give a donation. I also sought the help of Ging Montinola, who is into literacy development. Together, we founded the literacy program. We are building this fund to cover the cost of buying children’s books. We will have a storytelling contest next year.” Raising funds for Camp Escoda Nina then shifted the conversation to another major endeavor that she is spearheading as GSP president — fundraising for the 27-hectare Camp Josefa Llanes Escoda in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, which was donated by the provincial government during the term of Governor Amado Aleta, the father of consul and civic leader Fortune Ledesma. “Palayan is beautiful because it has rolling hills, but it doesn’t have electrical and water facilities and roadworks. It doesn’t have a swimming pool, and it’s so hot in Nueva Ecija. It also does not have a conference hall. This is a big one-time fundraising project because it’s for the future of the girls who are going to the camp. Because as of now, if you go camping there, you have to walk up the hills to get your drinking water. You have to make buhos to take a bath.” She recalled, “In my time as a young Girl Scout, which was of another era, we had to walk in the dark to fetch water to fill up two drums. I was so scared because there were tuko in Los Baños. That taught me to be courageous. Camps really build up your lifetime skills and attitude. Camping is very integral in girl scouting and boy scouting. So, this camp will serve a purpose. It just needs various basic facilities to make it world-class and convenient with the proper amenities, but the girls will continue to learn all those survival techniques and appreciate nature right on the camp.” She praised architect Pippo Carunungan, “who is an environmental planner. He surveyed the site and drew up everything. It will be a beautiful camp, he said, because it’s a gift of nature.” First Lady as Chief Girl Scout Nina recently led the Girl Scouts in a fundraising ball attended by the “First Lady, Liza Araneta-Marcos, who is our Chief Girl Scout. It’s mandated in the GSP constitution that whoever is the female president of the country or the First Lady is the Chief Girl Scout. In the past, we had Imelda Marcos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. All the first ladies were all Chief Girl Scouts. “Mrs. Liza Marcos spoke before us and she promised to help. She said, ‘We will make it the best campsite.’ Everyone was excited to see her and she obliged everyone who asked to have selfie with her. She is very friendly. She is really a Girl Scout.” Nina shared, “A generous couple is sponsoring the swimming pool at P6 million, while a gentleman entrepreneur is sponsoring the perimeter fence at P1.5 million. Many other businessmen and leaders have pledged to help build this dream GSP project. “We really need to raise about 50 million to have a very good camp. But when the First Lady heard about it, she said, ‘It has to be P250 million.’ But, really, when we have the funds, we can have deep toilets that have running water instead of tabo-tabo. Since we have a little Pampanga river that runs across the camp, we can build a bridge that crosses it and then the girls can have white-water rafting there in the Pampanga river. “Camp Escoda will be a very important and significant venue for our Girl Scouts to gather, bond, learn new skills and develop as morally upright citizens of the country and the world. It is especially so because camping is integral in any Girl Scout’s life. If you don’t have camping, it’s like half of your scouting life is missing. Every Girl Scout remembers that time of her youth. And being the national camp, it will welcome Girl Scouts representing the 96 councils from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who will participate in various events and trainings.” Girl Scouts of all ages As GSP president, Nina travels to various parts of the country. “We have regional conferences aside from the meeting of the Central Board when regional heads and executives come to Manila. “I had just come from Baguio where I stayed for two-and-a-half days. I met our young Girl Scout representatives from ages 14 to 18. I enjoyed listening to them and exchanging ideas with them. I am so happy that we have a wealth of intelligent girls who want to serve the country. They are the ones who are going to take over. “It’s amazing that GSP is no longer limited to old people on the board. We finally have young ones on the board. Our Escoda committee is headed by Jade Delgado from Iloilo. Then we have Justine Bautista. She’s a psychometrician. She heads the Program Committee, which is a big committee because when we were in Baguio, we had 86 girls from all the councils throughout the country. Many of them are running for SK. “So, in my 70s now, which I don’t feel at all, I don’t take any medicines or something like that. Being with young people is what inspires me. Because at 15, 16 or 17, they already know that they have some kind of a mission.” Nina proudly shared that the venue of the Baguio conference, 'Ating Tahanan' on the South Drive was bought during the tenure of my Lola Pilar. We have four buildings there, including the houses of Senator and actor Rogelio de la Rosa and Carlos Valdes, the accountant. Lola Pilar, according to Carlos Valdes, twisted his arm to get a low price. I’m so thankful for all those who preceded me because they bought these places. It’s on South Drive which is so valuable. We even have a reserved forest behind us.” As she looks forward to the next camping and gets even busier raising funds for Camp Escoda, Nina feels elated that “every one of us in the Girl Scouts has been together in our various undertakings. The nice thing is we are now intergenerational because we try to bring in the old with experience, institutional memory and their wisdom born of their long life, and the young who are full of enthusiasm, energy and new ideas.” A star scout for a granddaughter While Nina does her part for the bright future of girl scouting in the country, her personal family too has not stopped contributing to the roster of members to this worldwide organization. Today, a granddaughter of hers, seven-year-old Rocio Yuson de Guzman, is a Star Scout. She is the daughter of Nina’s daughter, Nicky. No grandmother could have been prouder. Nina said, “Rufio loves being a star scout. When I arrived from the recent world conference in Cyprus, I came back with some badges and I gave some to Rufio who is very proud of the little badges that I got for her.” For sure, Nina will pass on not just the badges to Rufio. More importantly, she will give her granddaughter the once-in-one’s-childhood experience of being a Girl Scout and learning “the values that are identified in the Girl Scout Promise and Laws. I think that while there is so much to enjoy and learn, it is the inculcation of these values that would mold her into a well-rounded human being. As we all know, a Girl Scout’s honor is to be trusted. A Girl Scout is loyal, thrifty, courteous… and so on. It’s like a mantra -- the values that one lives by. “I have reached that point when it is not about success or what one accumulates in life, whether awards or accomplishments or material things. It is more about what I can share and scouting gives me that honor and privilege — to do my part in helping mold our young girls and making them aware even at an early age that they have a mission and worthy purpose in life. It is not just about being good and outstanding on your own but it is also about helping others to become better in what they’re doing and live better lives. “And I need not look far. As a grandmother, I dote on my Star Scout granddaughter, Rufio. There’s a world out there for her to discover and in which she has a role to play and use the skills and values she will learn from scouting.” The post Nina Lim-Yuson — A lifetime of girl scouting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sulu handed new school division office
JOLO, Sulu — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, through the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, has formally turned over a new three-story school division office to Sulu province. MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal said the new building aims to provide security, protection, and adequate facilities to education officials in the Sulu Schools Division office. “They play a major role in stabilizing our education system, and their safety and satisfaction is one of our top priorities,” Iqbal said. He added that the newly constructed building was funded under the BARMM Special Development Fund 2020. Iqbal also reported that Sulu Province currently has 39 high schools, 418 elementary schools, and 20 annexes. MBHTE Director General for Basic Education Abdullah Salik, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan, and Sulu Schools Division Superintendent Kiram Irilis led the turnover ceremony on Monday. Iqbal emphasized that the school division office is vital in strengthening the education system in Sulu, serving as a home to an impartial and quality education system. For his part, Governor Tan expressed his gratitude to MBHTE for providing Sulu with a new Schools Division Office building. “We thank BARMM-MBHTE for giving us this new schools division office building. This is the best Schools Division Office building so far, (I think) in the whole BARMM,” Irilis said. The post Sulu handed new school division office appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Panelo: Resolve Maguindanao Norte predicament
Former Presidential Legal Adviser Atty. Salvador Panelo on Thursday has called on the provincial government of Maguindanao del Norte to resolve the problem of having two governors, saying that it stalls the basic public services that should be delivered to the public. “The law is very clear, you cannot have vacancy in government elected position, otherwise problems will occur like what is happening now in Maguindanao del Norte where it has Bangsamoro Ministry of Interior and Local Government-endorsed Governor Abdulraof Macacua and designated acting Governor Fatima Ainee Sinsuat who was the former Vice Governor,” Panelo said. He added that the Supreme Court also have already ruled “that the designation of Sinsuat is valid,” as the local government employees are also caught in the middle of controversy of having two governors for their province. Sinsuat’s spokesperson Atty. Samuel Divina earlier explained that the situation of the province is getting bleaker as the MILG continues to block the funds supposedly intended for the people of Maguindanao del Norte, as well as the plans and programs of the local government supposedly governed by the designated acting governor since Maguindanao was separated into two by the plebiscite last year. He added that Malacañang was not swayed by the prodding of the MILG and should now recall the appointment of Abdulraof Macacua, who was not even voted by the people of Maguindanao. “Recall the appointment of Macacua, for the basic services to the people to roll,” Divina said, pleading Malacañang to cancel or nullify the appointment of Macacua. Divina also stressed that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Bureau of Local Government and Finance, the MILG and the Land Bank in the province are allegedly holding the budget hostage because of the confusion it brought when they endorsed Macacua to Malacañang to be the governor. Divina said that the MILG was even a respondent to the Petition for Mandamus filed by Sinsuat at the Supreme Court which ruled on her favor. The post Panelo: Resolve Maguindanao Norte predicament appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PNP resumes recruitment of MILF, MNLF applicants
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday visited the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to personally witness the recruitment process for the second batch of police applicants who were former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Abalos said this is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s peace and security agenda. A ceremony was held at Police Regional Office - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PROBAR) at Camp Pendatun in Maguindanao del Norte, as Abalos urged the MILF/MNLF applicants to become "beacons" of lasting peace and security in their region. “We all share the dream of lasting peace and sustainable progress in Mindanao. Once na pumasa kayo, kayo na ang simbolo ng peace talks. Kayo na ang simbolo ng Bangsamoro at ng Republika ng Pilipinas at PNP. At kayo ang tatayo sa inyong mga lugar to ensure that there is indeed peace, kapayapaan at katahimikan,” the DILG chief said. The recruitment was based on National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Resolution No. 2023-0380, which approved the recommendation of the PNP to allocate 400 slots in its recruitment to former members of the MILF and MNLF. The entry of MILF and MNLF former members in the PNP is covered by Republic Act No. 11054 or the Organic Law for BARMM, which was enacted after the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the MILF. During his visit, Abalos saw 44 MNLF/MILF applicants undergo a 3-kilometer run as part of the Physical Agility Test, while 649 others are now taking their Psychological and Psychiatric Exam (PPE). At the same time, he encouraged the 102 newly appointed PNP patrolmen from the first batch of MILF/MNLF applicants to persevere in the 24-week rigorous Police Safety Basic Recruitment Course on police science administration, combat operations, and tactics. The post PNP resumes recruitment of MILF, MNLF applicants appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maguindanao del Norte: Caused by wrong legal advice (2)
The Maguindanao del Norte impasse, with the spectacle of having two acting governors holding office simultaneously, is obviously caused by wrong legal advice of the government lawyers of the Office of the Solicitor General, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Acting Governor Bai Fatima Ainee Sinsuat, who assumed office pursuant to Section 30, Republic Act 11560, holds office at Datu Odin Sinsuat municipality, which is the seat of the Provincial Capitol of Maguindanao del Norte. Acting OIC Abdulraof Abdul Macacua, appointed by the President, presumably upon the advice of government lawyers, pursuing the theory that there was a vacancy in the position of Acting Governor in the newly created Province of Maguindanao del Norte, is holding fort in Cotabato City, curiously not a part of Maguindanao del Norte. The Acting Vice-Governor Sharapudin Tucao Mastura and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Maguindanao del Norte, hold their sessions at the old Capitol Building in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. The government lawyers foisted the legal opinion that Section 50 of Republic Act 11550 which created the new provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte is not applicable to Acting Governor Bai Fatima Ainee Sinsuat and Acting Vice-Governor Sharafudin Tucson Mastura, in so far as the law makes them the transitional highest provincial officials that will govern Maguindanao del Norte until their successors have been elected and qualified in the elections of 2022. They opined that since the plebiscite ratifying the law creating the new provinces occurred after the 2022 national and local elections, and not prior to the elections, as contemplated in the said legal provision, the assumption of the elected Vice-Governor and the highest-ranking board member elected in the 2022 local elections in the then undivided Maguindanao Province, cannot take place. To their legal minds, by reason of such circumstance, a vacancy was created in the positions of Acting Governor, Acting Vice-Governor, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. This wrong legal opinion, which apparently became the basis of their legal advice to the appointing power, paved the way for the appointment of Abdulraof Abdul Macacua as Acting OIC of the Province of Maguindanao del Norte. That wrong legal opinion and advice created the legal fix Maguindanao del Norte is presently in. It is the proximate cause of why the efficient and effective delivery of basic services to the people of Maguindanao del Norte has been stalled, if not completely stopped. So too is the failure of the employees of the province Maguindanao del Norte to draw their salaries on time, if they receive it at all. These lawyers have forgotten a basic tenet in legislation. A law cannot create a vacuum. It cannot allow a situation where there will be a hiatus in governance relative to who will assume such a task. Nor will it tolerate a circumstance that there will be either a stoppage of work or a failure or a delay in the delivery of basic services to the people. (To be continued) The post Maguindanao del Norte: Caused by wrong legal advice (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Contractors told: Speed up infra works
LAMITAN CITY, Basilan Province — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, through the Ministry of Public Works, urged contractors of the various infrastructure projects in Basilan province to speed up the works that were awarded to them by the Bangsamoro government. The BARMM-MPW also called on the supplier of construction materials to fast-track the delivery of the materials to the different construction sites in order not to delay the projects now being implemented by the different contractors in the province. MPW Basilan District Engineer Kasim A. Hasanin on Wednesday said that his office is now implementing more than P1.298 billion worth of various infrastructure projects in Basilan province funded by BARMM through MPW. He added that the infrastructure developments were all targeted to improve the lives of the people in Basilan province who has been living below the poverty line for the past many years. “MPW is introducing more infra projects in the province to help alleviate the people’s lives and improve the basic government services for the people in the province,” Hasanin said. It has been observed that construction of various infrastructure projects in the province is now mushrooming and more are still on the pipeline, as Hasanin also called on the supplier of construction materials in Cotabato City to speed up the delivery of the materials to the province in order not to cause delay in the implementation of the program. He also appealed to the contractor fabricating the precast steel house frames to add more workers to improve their daily production. Additionally, precast house steel frames greatly reduce construction times, thus allowing contractors to complete the building of more houses at a limited given time. The post Contractors told: Speed up infra works appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DSWD chief leads distribution of aid to former MILF combatants
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the distribution of transitory cash assistance to the decommissioned combatants (DCs) of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The handing out of aid was made during the resumption of the Phase 3 Decommissioning of MILF members in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte over the weekend. Gatchalian, together with DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Alan A. Tanjusay, personally handed over the P100,000.00 cash aid to each MILF combatant who underwent the decommissioning process by the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB). After the payout, the DSWD chief engaged in an open dialogue with some of the decommissioned combatants of the MILF. “The presence of the ‘Angels in Red Vests’ here today is a demonstration to all of us that the DSWD will continue with our commitment to further improve the peace environment in this part of the region by providing social protection services to our brothers and sisters in the MILF towards nation-building. In return, we hope others will continue to invest and contribute to the peace that further strengthens our nation,” Gatchalian explained. He also called on the DSWD, other government agencies, the MILF leaders and members, local government units (LGUs), the military and police, and other partner peace builders to “continue to nurture and invest in the shared responsibility in cultivating the peace environment in the region”. The DSWD Secretary was welcomed by IDB Chief of Staff Tom Hjertholm and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Presidential Assistant David Diciano in the assembly processing area (APA) of the decommissioning. The Phase 3 Decommissioning, which resumed this August, targets to process some 1,301 MILF combatants within the month. The DSWD Field Office XII Normalization Team spearheads the payout and enrollment of the beneficiaries to the Biometrics Registration and Verification (BRaVe) System. They also conduct reengagement activities including aftercare visits, grant monitoring, and case management of each DC. Since 2015, the Department has disbursed a total of P2.48 billion in financial assistance to some 24,844 MILF DCs. Each beneficiary received a Bangsamoro Transitory Family Support Package (BTFSP) and livelihood grant amounting to P100,000.00. These initial aid packages are intended to help reintegrate DCs into mainstream society. In the following years, the DSWD, OPAPRU, and IDB, together with the different mechanisms in the MILF peace process, intend to cater to the remaining 14,000 MILF combatants. The provision of financial assistance is in line with the socio-economic development of DCs and their communities under the government’s commitment in the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The post DSWD chief leads distribution of aid to former MILF combatants appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Police, military upgrade gains
Initiatives that would strengthen the country’s police and military to ensure a “strong and stable rule of law” in the archipelago will continue, according to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. In his second State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa, Marcos said this effort would serve as a foundation for the country’s transformation. “Our police and armed forces are being strengthened and modernized to be more effective in maintaining peace and order and in defending our sovereignty,” he said. The President also vowed the government will continue its stiff campaign against illegal drugs — which he said has taken on “a new face” and is now geared towards community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, to curb drug dependence among the affected citizenry. “Last year, we launched the ‘Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan’ or BIDA Program, and established additional 102 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers nationwide,” Marcos said. Marcos underscored that the government will focus its efforts on the rehabilitation of drug dependents while sustaining the fight against drug syndicates by shutting down their illegal activities and dismantling their network of operations. His administration, he said, will also run after law enforcers and their accomplices implicated in the illegal drug trade. Narcos exposed “Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade have been exposed. I will be accepting their resignations. In their stead, we will install individuals with unquestionable integrity, and who will be effective and trustworthy in handling the task of eliminating this dreaded and corrosive social curse,” Marcos said. His administration will not tolerate corruption or incompetence in government, he added. Marcos likewise said the country is now nearing a peaceful solution to its problems concerning Filipinos who have taken up arms against the government. “For almost half a century, some of our fellow Filipinos have taken to arms to make their views heard. We are now at a point in our history when their armed struggle has evolved. We have now progressed together towards peace and development,” he emphasized. The government, he added, has incorporated capacity-building and social protection into its reintegration programs to guarantee full decommissioning of former combatants. Marcos underscored that the government’s Barangay Development and Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Programs has been effective in addressing the root cause of conflict in the countryside through the continuous implementation of the community development and livelihood programs for the former rebels. Further, the President announced he will issue a proclamation granting amnesty to rebel returnees to complete the reintegration process. “I ask Congress to support us in this endeavor,” he said. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive was pleased to note that communities affected by the infamous Marawi siege in May 2017 are recovering with the ongoing granting of financial aid to those severely affected by the conflict. He said it will allow these residents to start afresh. “Nawa’y mamayani ang pag-asa. Nawa’y magpatuloy ang pagkakaisa, pagmamatyag, at paghahangad ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran (May hope prevail, may unity continue along with vigilance and the desire for peace and progress),” he added. Marcos also mentioned the progress of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which he said was made possible because of the cooperation of all key groups. “We are proud of the progress that the BARMM has taken. It will be self-governing, progressive, and effective,” he said. “The local government, the royal families, the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front), and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) were all consulted and represented in the transition phase. The international community has also supported us in this smooth transition. Former adversaries are now partners in peace. Its functions have been defined, and its basic laws are being written.” Marcos said the progress in the BARMM has pulled up the sustainable advancement of southern Philippines anchored on a “true and lasting peace.” The post Police, military upgrade gains appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Maguindanao Norte ops yield loose firearms
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities have collected 40 weapons of war from four barangay chairpersons of Talitay town and some residents of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte as part of the measures to keep the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October free from any hostilities. Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao commander P/Brig. Gen. Allan Cruz Nobleza disclosed on Sunday that four village chiefs surrendered their loose firearms to authorities in Barangay Poblacion in Talitay on Friday. A similar gesture was also demonstrated by residents of 34 villages of DOS on the same day after the local government of the municipality called on them to surrender their loose firearms to authorities. Nobleza identified the four village chiefs of Talitay as Solaiman Buisan of Barangay Poblacion, Kuli Mama Datulukes of Barangay Kilalan, Azmy D. Guiamadel of Barangay Bintan and Mamatanto Manap of Barangay Kuden. The four village chiefs turned over one unit Home Made 50.CAL Sniper Barret: one unit of 7.62 Sniper Rifle; one unit of Home Made Shotgun; and one unit of .38 Caliber revolver without ammunition. Nobleza said that the operation against loose firearms will continue to intensify across the BARMM. He also called on the remaining private individuals and local officials to lay down their unlicensed firearms for the overall peace and security in the Bangsamoro region. Over at Datu Odin Sinsuat, at least 36 different types and calibers of firearms were collected by the local government as part of the Balik-Baril Program of the government. Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Datu Lester Sinsuat said that his government collected 36 different calibers of firearms in the 34 barangays of the municipality. Among the surrendered weapons were a Cal .50: BMG machine gun; a Sniper, Cal 50; a Cal. 30 Awards; nine 7.62mm M14 rifles; five 5.56mm M16 rifles; two 12 Gauge Shotguns; two M203 Tube Launchers; six 40mm M79 GLs; two RPGs; five 9mm UZI SMGs; a Cal. 22 Basic Assault Rifle; one 38mm Revolver and two Ammunition of 40mm. Sinsuat said they turned over the guns to the security forces during a ceremony held at the Municipal Covered Court, Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat on Friday. The post Maguindanao Norte ops yield loose firearms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
36 loose firearms surrendered in Maguindanao del Norte
ZAMBOANGA CITY — About 36 different types and calibers of firearms were collected by the local government of Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS), Maguindanao del Norte as part of the Balik-Baril Program of the government and were presented to government security forces in the province. Datu Odin Sinsuat Mayor Datu Lester Sinsuat said yesterday that his government collected 36 different calibers of firearms in the 34 barangays of the municipality. Sinsuat said they turned over the guns to the security forces during a ceremony held at the Municipal Covered Court, Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat on Friday. Among the surrendered weapons were a Cal .50: BMG Machine gun; a Sniper, Cal 50; a Cal. 30 Awards; nine 7.62mm M14 rifles; five 5.56mm M16 rifles; two 12 Gauge Shotguns; two M203 Tube Launchers; six 40mm M79 GLs; two RPGs; five 9mm UZI SMGs; a Cal. 22 Basic Assault Rifle; one 38mm Revolver, and two Ammunition of 40mm. Sinsuat believed that through the government's Balik-Baril program, private armed groups and other lawless element groups would be dismantled, resulting in a peaceful community. The guns were surrendered to Lt. Col. Tristram Tolentino, acting commanding officer of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion, he said. It was later turned over to Col. Nasser Lidasan, the assistant division commander of the 6th Infantry Division (ID), and Police Col. James Gulmatico, of the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BAR). For his part, Joint Task Force-Central (JTF-C) Commander Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera praised the leadership of Datu Odin Sinsuat, the 2nd Mechanized Battalion, and the police for continuing to dismantle loose firearms. "Every gun that we have obtained and removed from the hands of individuals who are not authorized to carry weapons is equivalent to saving many innocent lives and ensuring a better future for the people of Datu Odin Sinsuat," Rillera said. The post 36 loose firearms surrendered in Maguindanao del Norte appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (12)
Unity as mere rhetoric meant to create an illusion of a unifying leader, this was how critics described and ridiculed the battle cry of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the 2022 campaign. sire to bring together several sectors of society was stamped in the way he handled the deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law — by seeking to extend the consultation to as many of the stakeholders as possible. In a Daily Tribune report on his address before students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila during a symposium entitled “In the Name of Peace,” the proposed law was presented to the youth. Marcos recalled that he visited various places in Mindanao and talked to major stakeholders like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Moro National Liberation Front, indigenous peoples, the Sultanates, and representatives of different sectors of society. “Then I realized, I haven’t talked to the youth and the students yet. If I don’t do this it will be a major shortcoming because the youth are our country’s future and the principal beneficiary of the peace process,” Marcos said. In general, he said, BBL was part of the effort to bring peace and development to Muslim Mindanao under the context and framework of the Constitution. Marcos recognized the validity of creating autonomous regions, saying that people in certain areas of the country shared a “common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage” different from the rest of the country and that the Constitution authorized the creation of autonomous regions. Charter compliant Specifically, Marcos said the Constitution allowed for the creation of the Cordillera Autonomous Region and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which are vested with extensive powers not otherwise enjoyed by ordinary local governments, but so far only the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had been organized. The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law sought to abolish the ARMM and repeal the law that created it, apparently based on a statement by President Benigno Aquino III that ARRM is a “failed experiment.” “The problem was — and this was a big problem — it turned out in our hearings in the Senate that many of the provisions of the draft BBL were unconstitutional,” Marcos said. He said he sought the help of the Senate’s resident constitutional expert, the late Senator Miriam Santiago, to conduct hearings on the constitutionality of the draft BBL. Citing the Santiago report, Marcos said the BBL aimed to create a “part-sovereign” or “sub-state” called Bangsamoro with elements of a state under the Montevideo Convention, namely, a permanent population, defined territory, and capacity to enter into relations with other States. The Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States is a treaty signed in Montevideo, Uruguay, on 26 December 1933, that codified the declarative theory of statehood as accepted as part of customary international law. Had Congress adopted the draft BBL based on the Palace proposal, the new law would have violated the Constitution and would have faced a challenge before the Supreme Court. Marcos said the remedy was to either amend the draft BBL to make it consistent with the Constitution or to amend the Constitution to accommodate the drastic changes the BBL sought to put in place. Shortcuts not allowed “These are the peaceful, unifying, and constitutional ways of doing it. In the name of peace, let these be done. No shortcuts. No railroading. No threats of violence. No threats of war,” Marcos stressed. “Let us do this right, as one nation united by our Constitution and under one flag,” he added. Earlier, Marcos prepared a substitute bill that addressed the constitutional issues against the BBL. He vowed the substitute bill would ensure the sovereignty and integrity of the country even as it strove to achieve lasting peace and development in Mindanao. The post Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (12) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»