DAVAO CITY – Guiamel Alim, a seasoned peace advocate, backed the indefinite extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).
"How long do we need to hold the extension? The answer is for as long as it is necessary. We don’t put a timeframe for peace. We work for it. The violence did not have a timeframe too. Peace is a process. The incremental progress in building peace is taking place, albeit slowly," said Alim, head of a network of CSOs in the region known as Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS).
A CARAVAN calling for the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) until 2028 is held in Maguindanao del Norte on Monday, April 29. (Photo courtesy of Mahdie Amella)
Several civil society organizations in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to extend BTA's term until 2028.
The ratification of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) through a plebiscite in 2019 paved the way for the creation of the BARMM as well as the establishment of the BTA.
Constituted in 2019, the BTA is an interim lawmaking body of the autonomous region that was created upon the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014.
CAB is a product of the 17-year peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
MILF Chairman Ahod Ebrahim, also known as Al-hajj Murad Ebrahim, has been leading the 80-member BTA as the interim Chief Minister.
In 2022, Marcos extended the BTA's term until 2025.
No more extension
But during the President's visit in Maguindanao del Norte last Monday, Marcos issued a stern warning against those who are planning to derail the first parliamentary elections in BARMM that will push through as scheduled.
Marcos added that there will be no more extension for the BTA. “The upcoming first BARMM parliamentary elections in May 2025 will represent a milestone in our journey towards a meaningful autonomy and a peaceful Bangsamoro,” he said in his speech.
However, Alim doubts the readiness of the people in BARMM in holding the first parliamentary elections. "The big question is are the masses of people ready? How many of them understand the new electoral code? Is the playing field leveled off for a fair election? Are they ready to participate by having their own parties? Or is the election only a battle among the political elites?"
He believes an election is not just the only way to legitimize governance, adding that appointment is also a legitimate action considering the exigencies of time and the popular option of the people.
The seasoned peace advocate said that elections could also divide people and become antithetical to social cohesion. "Holding elections now may not auger well in addressing the precarious socio-political situation of the time."
Alim emphasized that the extension of BTA could help sustain the gains of the peace process. He added that both the government and the MILF should appoint the right people with the right value and competence into the parliament.