Today’s (Monday, Mar 20, 2023) regular session is memorable to me. It’s the first time that I’ve had the opportunity to observe the regular session of the Bangsamoro Parliament in person and I thank those who provided me access.

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After the session, I was able to meet and had a short conversation with MPs Bong Parcasio and AbdulAzis Amenodin before they boarded their cars on their way home. I also saw some of my frien MPs like Atty. Rasol Y. Mitmug Jr., Said Sheik, Jannati Mimbantas, among others.

In this session, the MPs according to the BTA Media Division were able to introduce eight bills. Among them are the Bangsamoro Palliative and Hospice Act of 2022; the Bud Dajo Day Act of 2022; the BARMM E-Governance Act of 2022; the Small Farmer and Fisherfolk Scholarship Act of 2022; the BARMM Digital Public Library Hubs Act of 2022; the Bangsamoro Green Building Act of 2022; the South Upi Municipal Hospital Upgrade Act; and the Bangsamoro Commission for Senior Citizens Act of 2022.

The Parliament also adopted a resolution expressing gratitude to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his continuing support and concern for the Bangsamoro peace process. MP Parcasio led the presentation of said resolution.

UNSOLICITED THOUGHT ON THE BTA

THE FIRST BTA. I knew one or two in the first BTA who were at a wrong place and even at a wrong time.

Their being appointed as a part of the body that is to run the governance of the newly created BARMM was a waste of public money and a deprivation of the welfare of the Bangsamoro constituents.

It’s also an insult to the martyrs whose sacrifices of their life and blood resulted to the autonomous government that the Bangsamoro people have now primaily aimed to correct the mistakes of the past, especially the injustices and oppressions against the Bangsamoro.

The Bangsamoro People deserves a more competent and qualified Member of the Bangsamoro Parliament (MP) than power-hungry pretenders who, it was said, mostly bought their way to the BTA.

The appointment of those sneaky persons perhaps were there for a reason. Yet, the appointment of non-performing BTA members is one reason why the first BTA did not have much to show.

There’s one I know who was too anxious to be uncovered of his dubious hidden personality. I don’t know how true it is that he bought his way to the autonomous transitory governance chamber.

I know him personally and many of us who personally know him wondered how he could be at a supposedly prestigious hall. I’m hoping the present BTA does not have similar issue.

THE PRESENT BTA. I’m impressed how present Members of Parliament (MPs) performed their job. Many of them I know  are either mujahideen, Ulama, legal luminaries, or civic leaders.

And in my short observation of their last session before they adjourned, I can say that, except one doubt in my mind, they, mostly neophytes, do well at the Hall of Parliament.

By the way, I wish to thank Jamaleah Lao Benito-Dimaporo, who I know back during the time of Mujiv Hataman when he was the then regional governor of the defunct ARMM, and my relative Mahadudin Pendatun Sumpingan, son of my insan Allan Sumpingan, for giving me access to observe the session.

Not much for that but we will give special mention to whom I said “a some of them” in future posts. Just watch out!

And, yes, the lingering doubt in mind I said before is that, it seems to me the Bangsamoro Parliament is slow in promulgating laws or codes.

POSTSCRIPT. It’s either due to my lack of enough words, or my misusage of them, or my writing of English in apparently old-fashioned medium in expressing thoughts that there are those who can’t grasp my point view. For any of the reasons above or otherwise, I’m willing to accept rectification. I believe no man is perfect. So go ahead, make your day.