By Edwin O.Fernandez
COTABATO CITY, April 21 (PNA) — The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) composed of representatives from the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has signed the final draft of the proposed law that will establish the Bangsamoro government in Mindanao, officials said Monday.
Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, said the signing was held at the BTC office in Cotabato City on Sunday, April 20.
“Except for two BTC commissioners, all the members signed the document,” Jaafar said.
“Hopefully, the proposed law which underwent a thorough consultation and study, will get the approval of the Philippine Congress,” Jaafar said.
The unsigned and partial draft copy of the document had been forwarded to the Office of the President for review.
Two BTC commissioners failed to show up during the signing. No reason was given when Johaira Wahab and Fatmawati Salapuddin did not attend the signing.
Jaafar said the BTC, chaired by MILF chief negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal, will submit the final draft to Malacanang for review and assessment before it will be forwarded to Congress.
He said no copy has been made public so far until it reaches Congress.
On Sunday, chief government negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer, denied news circulating in the social media that the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process has directed three of BTC commissioners not to sign the draft.
Ferrer said the report was false and reiterated that the OPAPP did not order any BTC member not to affix his signature on the draft law. (Philippine News Agency)
