Malacañang hopes Bangsamoro transition body ‘to lead effectively’

Malacañang on Wednesday said that it expects the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to “lead effectively” as its officials are set to take their oath of office before President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Malacañang on Wednesday said that it expects the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to “lead effectively” as its officials are set to take their oath of office before President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that while previous entities have received complaints regarding their leadership, he was hopeful that the BTA would learn from their mistakes.

“Certainly, you must remember there have been complaints in the governance in the previous entities,” Panelo told Palace reporters.

“Hopefully this new one, given the fact that they have learned their lessons, I’m sure they will lead this time effectively unless they will answer to the Muslim people,” he added.

Panelo said that the executive has yet to receive the list of members that will govern new the Bangsamoro region until elections in 2022, but expressed confidence that Duterte will ensure a “balanced composition” of members.

“Antayin nalang natin (Let’s just wait for it), I’m sure the President will know how to balance the composition,” Panelo said.

The 80-member BTA will be appointed by the President.

Incumbent officials of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will be part of the body until their term ends on June 30, 2019.

Following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the ARMM will be replaced with a new Bangsamoro Region that will have more power to govern themselves.