Bangsamoro Parliament

The Bangsamoro Parliament is the legislature of Bangsamoro, an autonomous region of the Philippines. It is currently led by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, an interim regional governing body. The inaugural session of the parliament took place on March 29, 2019 while its first regular session is projected to take place in 2022.[1]

Bangsamoro Parliament Filipino: Parlamento ng Bangsamoro Arabic: البرلمان بانجسامورو‎
Interim Parliament
Type
Type	Unicameral
Term limits	3 terms (9 years)
History
Founded	March 29, 2019
Preceded by	ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly
Leadership
Chief Minister	Murad Ebrahim since March 29, 2019
Speaker of the Parliament	Pangalian Balindong since March 29, 2019
Majority Leader	Lanang Ali Jr. since March 29, 2019
Minority Leader	Laisa Alamia since March 29, 2019
Structure
Seats	80
Political groups	MILF nominees (41)      National Government nominees (39)
Length of term	3 years
Authority	Article VII, Republic Act No. 11054
Elections
Voting system	Parallel voting
Last election	None
Next election	2022
Meeting place
Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, BARMM Complex, Brgy. Rosary Heights VII, Cotabato City
Website
parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph

History

The first Bangsamoro Parliament is an interim legislature headed by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). The first set of members of the BTA took their oath on February 22, 2019.[2] The effective abolishment of the precursor autonomous region, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) took place following the official turnover of the ARMM to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region occurred on February 26, 2019.[3]

The interim Bangsamoro Parliament had its first inaugural session on March 29, 2019 and passed four resolutions, two of which involved the budget for the Bangsamoro region.[4]

Composition

As per law, the legislature should composed of at least 80 members,[5][6] who in turn are led by the Speaker of the Parliament which was appointed from among the members of the legislature.[7] Until June 30, 2019, 24 elective officials of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao also served as additional members.

Pangalian Balindong is the Speaker of the Parliament with Hatimil Hassan as his deputy. Lanang Ali Jr. is the Majority Leader and Laisa Alamia is the Minority Leader. Roby Angkal serves as Secretary General while Dan Dimakenal is the Sergeant at Arms.[8]

40 percent of the parliament seats are allotted to representatives of Bangsamoro's parliamentary districts. Although the districts are yet to be constituted. The Bangsamoro parliamentary districts will exist independently from the legislative districts used to determine representation in the national House of Representatives.[9]

There are also legal provisions to deter members of the parliament to switch political party allegiance. Changing political party affiliation within the term of a parliament member's term means forfeiture of seat. Changing of affiliation within six months prior to a parliamentary elections renders the person ineligible as a nominee of a political party seeking representation in the parliament.[10]

See also

• ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly
• Bangsamoro Youth Model Parliament

References

1. "Malacañang names Bangsamoro Transition Authority members". CNN Philippines. February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
2. Arguillas, Carolyn (February 20, 2019). "Bangsamoro oathtaking reset to Feb. 22; but who will take oath?". MindaNews. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
3. Arguillas, Carolyn (February 18, 2019). "Bangsamoro Transition Authority to take oath Feb. 20; ARMM to BARMM turnover on Feb. 25". MindaNews. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
4. Arguillas, Carolyn (March 30, 2019). "Duterte to BTA: Bangsamoro's future "is now in your hands;"region awaits release of budget". MindaNews. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
5. "The Bangsamoro State Constitution" (PDF). All Moro Convention: Article VII. May 30, 2018.
6. "Republic Act No. 11054" (PDF). Philippine Official Gazette: 15. July 7, 2018.
7. "FAQs on the Annex on Power Sharing". Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
8. Arguillas, Carolyn (March 30, 2019). "Bangsamoro Transition Authority elects officials; Balindong is Speaker". MindaNews. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
9. Panti, Llanesca (June 20, 2019). "BARMM's new parliamentary districts won't affect representation in House, says BTA member". GMA News. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
10. Panti, Llanesca (June 20, 2019). "Turncoats will lose parliament seat in Bangsamoro region – transition panel member". GMA News. Retrieved June 22, 2019.