Bangsamoro parliament ‘full force’ at public consultation

COTABATO CITY — Designated lawmakers of the Bangsamoro Parliament showed up in full force in Patikul, Sulu for the public consultation on the proposed the Bangsamoro Electoral Code.

Members of the Committee on Rules and four deputy speakers, including lawyers Omar Yasser Sema, Nabil Tan and Paisalin Tago, and Benjamin Loong, were present at the public consultation "signifying the importance of consulting constituents on the proposed code."

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority Bill 29, or the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, was not missed by sectoral organizations, as their representatives bat for inclusion, or reserved seats at least in the BTA, which is the interim Parliament of the Bangsamoro government.

"No other region can enact their own electoral code; the electoral code that will be crafted will conform to our tradition, customs, tradition, and practices," said Tago, as he emphasized its significance "to guide local government officials in how to govern their respective barangays, municipalities, and cities."

"When you consult the people, you are bringing them into the governance of BARMM, you are putting the Bangsamoro as one people, united," said Member of Parliament Jose Lorena, who presided the consultation in Patikul, Sulu.

Loong, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to every sector that participated in today's public consultation, especially His Royal Highness Sultan Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo and the first lady of Sulu, Hja. Nurunisah Tan.

He said the electoral code is one of the priority bills that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament must pass during the transition period.