ENGR. DON MUSTPAHA A. LOONG, JD, MPSA, CESE
Member of the Parliament – Bangsamoro Transition Authority

BTA SESSION NO. 42
September 28, 2023
VOTE SPEECH

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

The approval of the Local Governance Code is a significant milestone for the Bangsamoro. 4.5 years ago, we ratified the Bangsamoro Law and signaled the shift from the military to a political struggle.
Finally, we have a Local Government Code tailored to fit the needs of the Bangsamoro. We have always said that the root cause of conflict and the motivation for the Bangsamoro struggle is to address the political and economic marginalization.

Today is an exercise of political and economic autonomy. We are in the practice of political autonomy that may not be perfect, but just like the practice of law and medicine, the practice of making policy and law is a continuing process.

We improve and become better over time, but in order to improve and be better, like in medicine and law, we either practice it or lose it or lose competency over it. Either we exercise our political or economic autonomy or lose what has already been given. The practice of political autonomy has the good and the challenges.

The good thing with the Local Government Code, the 600 pages that we are presenting now, is that it provides chances for a more responsive and more receptive LGU. There’s mandatory training and capacity building, there’s regulation of LGUs, improvement of coordination, establishment of councils, full devolution, improved benefits to the barangays, more power, authority and responsibility to the LGUs so that they can be self-sufficient, improvement in the financial systems and transparency and accountability in governance, the inclusion of Madaris in the local school boards, IPs and ad hoc bodies to address rido and Shari’ah compliance against riba, these are the positive things that we have to accept, but just like in life you cannot always be happy there will always be darkness amidst the light, there will always be rain against the sunshine, and therefore there may be contentious issues, but these are present in all laws, contentious issues like anti-dynasty provision that was provided in the constitution but for 33 years no enabling law was done.

It is only here in the Bangsamoro where we provided or maybe points about partisan political activity which I have also raised issues, however, in the debates in a parliamentary process the majority wins, although the voices of the minority have been heard.

I congratulate the committee who have gone through the 600 pages and the victory of the empowered women lawyers and leaders like MP Raissa Jajurie, MP Anna Basman, MP Elijah Alba, and MP Mary Ann Arnado.
Sa dami ng sinabi at pinropose ko na sinabi nilang hindi pwede, laging busted, but then may mga pumasok din naman, the point is we recognize that these ladies have shown that Bangsamoro women have their competencies and intrude some sectors might question the legislation by the Bangsamoro but of course like students of political autonomy we might be corrected, but all students need to pass through a process of correction to become better.

Finally, in conclusion, the greatest positive change that we have done here is not just the local government code that we have passed in a few months. It’s not just that we are to be placed in the Guinness World Book of Records for passing eight (😎 laws in one day, but it is the practice of autonomy political and economic autonomy that our forefathers, you, your father, your parents and relatives that have fought for because we believe that self-determination, political and economic autonomy is the real key for long term peace and development.
My vote is a positive YES.