IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE OMNIPOTENT, THE MERCIFUL

 

PEACE AGREEMENT

 

THE FINAL AGREEMENT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1976 TRIPOLI AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (GRP) AND THE MORO NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (MNLF) WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE OF THE SIX AND THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE.

WHEREAS, the President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Fidel V. Ramos has pursued a peaceful settlement of the armed conflict under the principle of peace with honor and to serve the paramount ends of national unity, solidarity and progress for Filipinos;

WHEREAS, the MNLF, led by Professor Nur Misuari, inspired by their quest for peace and prosperity, had in the past asserted the right of the Moro people to freely determine their political status and pursue their religious, social, economic and cultural development;

WHEREAS, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), upon the request of the GRP initiated the First Formal Peace Talks between the GRP and the MNLF during its Third Ministerial Conference in Jeddah. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which resulted in the signing of the Tripoli Agreement on December 23, 1976, the document, which served as a basis for a just, lasting, honorable and comprehensive solution to the problem in Southern Philippines within the framework of the Philippine Constitution;

WHEREAS, by the grace of the Almighty God and owing to the bold and innovative initiative of the Philippine Government, under H.E. President Fidel V. Ramos. and the dedication and the perseverance of his duly appointed representatives, headed by Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Manuel T. Yan, coupled with the highly positive and laudable response of the MNLF leadership under its founding Chairman, H.E. Prof. Nur Misuari, a peace process has been conducted and pursued successfully for the last four (4) years, with the most constructive and beneficial participation of the OIC Ministerial Committee of the Six, headed by its distinguished Chairman, H.E. Ali Alatas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, and his four (4) able assistants as facilitators of the talks, namely: H.E. Ambassador S. Wiryono. H.E. Dr. Hassan Wirajuda, H.E. Ambassador Pieter Damanik, and H.E. Ambassador Abu Hartono, and the OIC Secretary General, H.E. Dr. Hamid Algabid, and his deputy, H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Mohsin, and with special mention to Libyan Ambassador, H.E. Rajab Azzarouq;

 WHEREAS, the parties acknowledge the valuable role of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in promoting and upholding the rights, welfare and well-being of Muslims all over the world;

WHEREAS, the parties likewise, acknowledge the role of the OIC Ministerial Committee of the Six comprising the nations of Indonesia as Chair, libya, Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh, Senegal and Somalia in the search of a just, comprehensive and durable Peace in Southern Philippines;

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Statement of Understanding signed in Tripoli, Libya on October 3.1992 and the subsequent Statement of Understanding signed in Cipanas, West Java on April 14,1993, the parties agreed, through the good offices of The Great Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah, inspired and guided by its great leader. H.E. Colonel Muammar Khadaffy, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia under the Wise and able leadership of H.E. Bapah President Soeharto, and H.E. OIC Secretary General, Dr. Hamid Algabid, to hold formal peace calks to discuss the modalities for The full implementation of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement in letter and spirit, to include Those portions of the Agreement left for further discussion and the transitional Implementing structure and mechanism;

WHEREAS, the parties affirm their solemn commitment in the aforementioned Statements of understanding as well as the Memorandum of Agreement signed in the First Round of Formal Peace Talks held in Jakarta, Indonesia on October 25 - November 7, 1993; the Interim Agreement signed in the 2nd Round of Formal Peace Talk held in Jakarta on September 1-5, 1994; the Interim Agreement signed in the 3rd Round of formal Peace Talks held in Jakarta on November 27 - December 1, 1995; the Intern Agreement signed in the 4th Round of Formal Peace Talks held in Jakarta on August 29, 1996; and in the nine (9) meetings of the Mixed Committee held in various places and dates in the Philippines and Indonesia;

WHEREAS, all these agreements resulted from the consensus points reached by the Mixed Committee and the Support Committees (Support Committee No. I - National Defense and Security; Support Committee No. 2 - Education: Support Committee No. 3 -Economic and Financial System, Mines and Minerals; Support Committee No. 4 - Administrative System, Right of Representation and Participation in the National Government, and in all Organs of the State: Support Committee No. 5 - Shariah and the Judiciary; and the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Transitional Implementing Structure and Mechanism in meetings held in various places in the Philippines and Indonesia;

WHEREAS, the parties have rationalized and consolidated all the agreements and consensus points reached, with the assistance of the Mixed Committee and the various support committees established for the purpose, into a final peace agreement;

WHEREAS, the parties affirm the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the Constitute of the Republic of the Philippines; and

WHEREAS, this final peace agreement constitutes the full implementation of the Tripoli Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, THE PARTIES DO HEREBY AGREE ON THE
FOLLOWING:

I.          IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM OF THIS
            AGREEMENT

1.         Phase 1 shall cover a three (3) year period starting after the signing of the peace agreement with the issuance of Executive Order establishing the Special Zone of Peace and Development (SZOPAD), the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD), and the Consultative Assembly.

During this phase, the process of the joining in of the MNLF elements with The Armed Forces of the Philippines will start. The joining in of MNLF elements with the PNP as part of the regular police recruitment programmed will also take place in this phase.

2. Phase 2 shall involve amendment to or repeal of the Organic Act (RA 6734) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through Congressional action, after which the amendatory law shall be submitted to the people of the concerned areas in a plebiscite to determine the establishment of a new autonomous government and the specific area of autonomy thereof.

a.      While peace and development programs are being implemented in the SZOPAD, a bill to amend or repeal the RA 6734 shall be initiated within Phase 1 (1996-1997). The bill shall include the pertinent provisions of the Final Peace Agreement and the expansion of the present ARMM area of autonomy. After a law shall have been passed by Congress and approved by the President, it shall be submitted to the people for approval in a plebiscite affected areas, within two (2) years from the establishment of the SPCPD (1998).

b.      The new area of autonomy shall then be determined by the provinces and cities that will vote/ choose to join the said autonomy (1998). It may be provided by the Congress in a law that clusters of contiguous Muslim dominated municipalities voting in favor of autonomy be merged and constituted into a new province(s), which shall become part of the new Autonomous Region.

II.        THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD (PHASE-1)

Phase 1 shall be implemented as follows:

3.      There shall be established a Special Zone of Peace and Development in Southern Philippines (SZOPAD) covering the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur. Zamboanga del Norte, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato. Sarangani and Palawan and the cities of Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, General Santos, lligan, Marawi, Pagadian, Zamboanga and Puerto Princesa. Within the next three (3) years, these areas shall be the focus of intensive peace and development efforts. Public and private investments shall be channeled to these areas to spur economic activities and uplift the conditions of the people therein.

4.      There shall be established a Southern Philippine Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD), composed of one (1) Chairman, one (1) Vice Chairman and three (3) Deputies, one each representing the Muslims, the Christians, and the Cultural Communities. They shall be appointed by the president.

5.      The SPCPD shall be assisted by the Darul Iftah (advisory council), which shall be created by the Chairman of the SPCPD.

6.      The local government units in the area including the ARMM shall continue to exist and exercise their functions in accordance with the existing laws.

7.      Appropriate agencies of the government that are engaged in peace and development activities in the area, such as but not limited to the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA), shall be placed under the control and/or supervision of the Council as its implementing agencies to ensure that peace and development projects and programs are effectively accomplished.

Based on the foregoing, the following agencies or entities will be placed under the control and/or supervision of the SPCPD, to wit:

a. The Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) may be attached to the SPCPD and be placed under the latter's direct supervision insofar as SPDA offices and projects in the SZOPAD are concerned. The SPCPD can exercise a. further degree of control over SPDA by allowing the Council to submit recommendees to the President for appointment as officials of SPDA.

b. The Regional and Field Offices of the Office of Muslim Affair (OMA) which are situated and operating within the Special Zone of Peace and Development (SZOPAD), shall be placed under the direct supervision of SPCPD, provided that the coordination, linkages and complementation between the central OMA and SPCPD shall be defined by a Presidential issuance;

c.  The Regional and field Offices of the Office of Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC) which are situated and operating within the Special Zone of Peace and Development (SZOPAD), shall be placed under the direct supervision of SPCPD, provided that the coordination, linkages and complementation between the central OSCC and SPCPD shall be defined by a Presidential issuance;

d. Task Force Basilan, which shall be reorganized into the Basilan Development Task Force, to undertake development activities in Basilan shall be placed under the control and supervision of SPCPD;

e. Task Force MALMAR - to be reorganized into the Central Mindanao Development Task Force, lo undertake development activities in Central Mindanao shall be placed under the control and supervision of SPCPD;

f. Sulu Development task force - an inter-agency task force that shall be organized to undertake development projects in Sulu -- shall be placed under the control and supervision of SPCPD; and

g. Special Development Planning Group - this is an ad hoc body composed of staff (officers and planning experts from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other concerned agencies which could be organized to directly support the staff planning requirements, shall be placed under SPCPD.

The foregoing enumeration of agencies or entities shall not preclude the President from exercising his power or discretion to delegate, subject to existing laws, certain powers or functions to the SPCPD, or to place under agencies or entities under the control and/or supervision of the latter.

8.         The SPCPD, in consultation with the Consultative Assembly utilizing the funds from the National Government shall monitor, promote and coordinate the development efforts in the area, including the attraction of foreign investment, especially from OIC member-countries and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

9.         The powers and functions of the SPCPD and the Consultative Assembly are derivative and extension of the powers of the President the powers referred to here are only those powers of the President that could be delegated under the Constitution and existing laws.

10.       There shall be established a Consultative Assembly with 81 members composed of the following:

a. The Chairman of the SPCPD shall be the head and presiding officer of the assembly;

b. The Governor and the Vice Governor of the ARMM, and 14 Governor's of the provinces and the 9 City Mayors in the SZOPAD;

c.  44 members from the MNLF: and

d. 11 members from various sector recommended by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations ( POs).

11.       The Consultative Assembly shall exercise the following functions and powers:

a.         To serve as forum for consultation and ventilation of issues and concerns;

b.         To conduct public bearings as may be necessary and to provide appropriate advice to the SPCPD; and

c.         To formulate and recommend policies to the President through the chairman of the SPCPD and make rules and regulations to the extent necessary for the effective and efficient administration of the affairs of the area.

12.       The OIC shall be requested to continue to extend its assistance and good offices in monitoring the full implementation of this agreement during the transitional period until the regular autonomous government is firmly established and for this purpose, help generate broad international support for the Zone of Peace and Development.

13.       A Joint Monitoring Committee composed of members coming from the GRP and the MNLF, with the help of the OIC, shall continue to meet to review and identify agreements that can be immediately implemented, and monitor the implementation of this Agreement during Phase 1.

14.       The provisions of the 1994 and 1995 Interim Agreements and subsequent agreement entered into by the GRP and the MNLF (hat would not require legislative action shall be implemented during Phase 1.

15.       The funds for the operations of the Council and the Assembly shall be initially sourced from the funds of the Office of the President. Funding for development programs and projects shall come from the appropriations of Congress as may be drawn from the General Appropriations Act. A supplementary budget for the year 1996 will be recommended to Congress for the purpose.

16.       The term of the SPCPD and the Consultative Assembly shall be for a period of three years and may be extended by the President upon recommendation of the Council itself.

17.       The term of office of the SPCPD and the Assembly shall coincide with the three-year term of office of the officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elected in l996.

18.       The powers and functions of the Council shall be as follows:

a.   To take charge in promoting, monitoring and coordinating the improvement of peace and order in the area.

b.   To focus, on peace and development efforts more particularly in the depressed areas and cause the in implementation of peace and development projects;

c.   To provide support to local government units as necessary;

d.   To exercise such other powers and functions necessary for the effective implementation of its mandate as may be delegated by the President;

e.   To assist in the preparation for the hiding of elections, referenda or plebiscite and people's initiative in the area as may be duly deputized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC);

f. To cause the creation of such offices or instrumentalities as shall be necessary for the effective and efficient administration of the affairs of the areas. There shall be approval from the Office of the President for budgetary purposes.

19.       The joining of die MNLF elements with the Philippine National Police (WP) and the Provision of Security Protection for Certain Officials of the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development;

a. During the transitional phase (phase 1), there shall be a program or process to allow the joining of MNLF elements into the PNP and to be part of the PNP Command in accordance with guidelines and procedures under existing laws. The Philippine Government shall allocate one thousand five hundred (1,500) PNP vacancies for this purpose to be filled up by MNLF elements during the transition period, and another two hundred fifty (250) items for special or auxiliary services.

b. The processing of MNLP elements will start upon the establishment of the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD). The police training programs to be undergone by the joining MNLF elements shall be as prescribed by existing laws and rules and regulations, and shall be conducted by the PNP.

 c. The concerned of officials of the Council (e.g. the Chairman and his Deputies) shall be provided security and protective assistance by the national government, the security situation warrants and as part of confidence-building measures. An AFP/PNP security detail shall be immediately and particularly assigned lo the Council. This special APP/PNP security detail shall be composed of former MNLF regulars who shall have been granted AFP or PNP appointments and duly integrated into the AFP or PNP. This security detail shall be of appropriate size in accordance with the needs of the situation, without prejudice to augmentation by regular AFP or PNP units as the need arises and in coordination with the AFP and PNP commanders concerned. This security detail which shall not be utilized for law enforcement, but solely for [he security and protection of SPCPD officials concerned, shall conduct themselves in accordance with existing policies and regulations in order to prevent undue alarm to the population during movements of concerned officials.

d. To have good coordination between the AFP and PNP on the one hand and the SPCPD on the other, a liaison system will be set up composed of the AFP, PNP and SPCPD senior officials.

20.       The joining of the MNLF forces with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP):

a. Five thousand seven hundred fifty (5,750) MNLF members shall be integrated into the Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP), 250 of whom shall be absorbed into the auxiliary services. The government shall exert utmost efforts to establish the necessary conditions that would ensure the eventual integration of the maximum number of the remaining MNLP forces into the Special Regional Security Force (SRSF) and other agencies and instrumentalities of the government There shall be a special socio-economic, cultural and educational program to cater to MNLF forces not absorbed into the AFP PNP and the SRSF to prepare them and their families for productive endeavors, provide for educational, technical skills and livelihood training and give them priority for hiring in development projects.

b.   In the beginning, the MNLF forces will join as units distinct from AFP units. They will be initially organized into separate units within a transition period, until such time that mutual confidence is developed as the members of these separate-units will be gradually integrated into regular AFP units deployed in the area of autonomy. Subjects to existing laws, policies, rules and regulations, and approbate authorities shall waive the requirements and qualifications for entry of MNLF forces into the AFP.

c.   One from among the MNLF will assume the functions and responsibilities of a Deputy Commander of the Southern Command. AFP, for separate units that will be organized out of the MNLF forces joining the AFP. The Deputy Commander will assist the Commander of the Southern Command. AFP in the command, administration and control of such separate units throughout the aforementioned transition period. The Deputy Commander will he given an appointment commensurate to his position and shall be addressed as such.

d. The government recognizer the skills, capabilities and achievements of the MNLP and its capacity to develop its members for the highest echelons of military and civilian leadership. The ranks and grades of MNLF forces joining the AFP shall be subject to the decision of the President in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the AFP along the principles of universality, non-discrimination, equity and preferential treatment for the poor and underprivileged.

d.   The government shall take affirmative measures to continually improve the capabilities of those MNLF forces joining the AFP to enhance their opportunities for professional advancement in the military service. It shall undertake initiatives to provide professional training and military schooling in foreign countries to former MNLF members absorbed into the AFP in consonance with the education and training programmes with the AFP.

f. All other matters regarding the joining of MNLF forces into the AFP not expressly covered by this agreement shall be prescribed by the President in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the APP.

III. THE NEW REGIONAL AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT (PHASE-2)

The following provisions shall be implemented after a law amending or repeating the Organic Act of ARMM shall have been enacted by Congress and approved by the people in the concerned areas in a plebiscite therefore. Accordingly, these provisions shall be recommended by the GRP to Congress for incorporation in the amendatory or repealing law.

A.    EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM AND REPRESENTATION IN THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

21.       Executive power shall be vested in tile Head of the regular Autonomous Government duly elected at large by direct vow of the people of the Autonomous Region. There shall also be a Vice-Head of the Regional Autonomous Government also elected in the same manner. The Head of the Regional Autonomous Government may appoint three (3) Deputies. The Head, the Vice-Head and the three (3) Deputies shall comprise the Executive Council of the area of Autonomy.

22.       The President shall exercise general supervision over the Regional Autonomous Government and all local government units in the area of Autonomy through the Head of the Regional Autonomous Government to ensure that laws are faithfully executed.

The Head of the Autonomous Government shall exercise general supervision over all local government units in the area of autonomy to ensure that national and regional laws are faithfully executed, and see to it that they act within their assigned powers and functions.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

23.       Legislative power shall be vested in the Regional Legislative Assembly.

24.       The Legislative Assembly shall be composed of members elected by popular vote, with three (3) members elected from each of the Congressional Districts.

25.       There shall be sectoral representatives in the Legislative Assembly whose number shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of elected Members of the Legislative Assembly coming from the labor, disabled, industrial, indigenous cultural communities, youth, women, non-government organizations, agricultural, and such other sectors as may be provided by Regional Law to be appointed by the Head of the Autonomous Government from among the nominees of the different Sectoral groups; provided, however, that the youth representative shall not be less than 18 years of age nor more than 21 years of age at the lime of his appointment.

26.       The people's initiative, by way a plebiscite or referendum, is recognized.

27.       The Regional Legislative Assembly shall exercise legislative power for application in the area of autonomy except on the following matters, to wit:

a. Foreign Affair's;

b. National Defense and Security:

c. Postal Service

d. Coinage. Fiscal and Monetary Policies,

e. Administration of Justice except on matters pertaining to Shariah;

f. Quarantine;

g. Customs and Tariff;

h. Citizenship;

i. Naturalization Immigration and Deportation;

J. General Auditing, Civil Service and Elections;

k. Foreign Trade;

1. Maritime, Land and Air Transportation and Communications that affect areas outside the autonomous region: and

m. Patents. Trademarks, Tradenames and Copyrights.

28.       The Legislative Assembly may create, divide, merge, abolish or substantially alter boundaries of local government units in the area of autonomy in accordance with the criteria laid down by law subject to approval by a majority of the voles cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose in the political units affected. It may also change the names of such local government units, public places and institutions.

29.       Any member of the Legislative Assembly who accepts an appointment and qualifies for any position in the Government, including government-owned-and/or controlled corporations or institutions and their subsidiaries, shall automatically forfeit his seat in the Legislative Assembly.

30.       No member of the Legislative Assembly may personally appear as counsel before courts of justice or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with or in any franchise or privilege granted by, the government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned-and/or-controlled corporation or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office.

31.       In case of vacancy in the Legislative Assembly occurring at least one year before the expiration of the term of office, a special election shall be called to fill the vacancy in the manner prescribed by law; provided, that the member elected shall serve for the unexpired term.

32        The Legislative Assembly shall elect from among its member a Speaker and such other officers as the rules may provide. The speaker shall appoint the personnel of the administrative organization of the Legislative Assembly.

33.       The powers, functions, responsibilities and structure of the different Departments, agencies, bureaus, offices and instrumentalities of the regional government including regional government-owned-and controlled corporations in the areas of the autonomy shall be prescribed and defined by the Regional Legislative Assembly.

34. No person shall be elected member of the Legislative Assembly, unless he/she is:

a. A natural-born citizen of the Philippines;

b. At least 21 years of age on the day of election;

c. Able lo read and write;

d. A registered voter of the district in which he/she shall be elected on  the day he/she files his/her certificate of candidacy; and

c. A resident thereof for a period of no less than five years immediately  preceding the day of election.

35. Every member of the Legislative Assembly shall take an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before taking his/her seat.

36.       The Legislative Assembly shall adopt its own rules of procedure by a majority vote of all its Members including the selection of members of its standing communities and the suspension or expulsion of its Members.

37.       A Majority of all the Members of the Assembly shall constitute a quorum to do business, but & smaller number may adjourn from day-to-day and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner, and under such penalties, as the Assembly may provide.

 38.      The Legislative Assembly or any of its committees may conduct inquiries or public consultations in aid of legislation in accordance of its rules. The rights of persons appearing in or affected by such inquiries shall be respected.

39.       The Legislative Assembly shall keep a journal of its proceedings and a record of its caucuses and meetings. The records and books of account of the Assembly shall be preserved and be open to public scrutiny. The Commission on Audit shall publish an annual report of the itemized list of expenditures incurred by the Members of the Assembly within sixty (60) days from the end of every regular session.

40.       The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly shall, within, ten working days from approval thereof, submit to the President and to both Houses of Congress a certified true copy of all laws and resolutions approved by the Legislative Assembly.

41.       No member shall be questioned or held liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Assembly or in any committee thereof.

42.       The Chief Executive of the Autonomous Government shall approve the budget of the Autonomous Region, if, by the end of any fiscal year the Legislative Assembly shall have failed to pass the regional appropriation a bill for the ensuing fiscal year, the regional Appropriations Act for the preceding fiscal year shall be deemed automatically re-enacted and shall remain in Force and effect until the regional appropriations bill is passed by the Legislative Assembly.

43.       No provision or enactment shall he embraced in the regional appropriations bill unless it relates specifically to some particular appropriation therein. Any such provision or enactment shall be limited in its operation to the appropriation to which it relates

44.       The procedure in approving appropriations for the Legislative Assembly shall strictly follow the procedure for approving appropriations for other departments and agencies of the Regional Government.

45.       A special appropriations bill shall specify the purpose for which it is intended, and shall be supported by funds actually available as certified by the Regional Treasurer, or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposal therein.

46.       Discretionary funds appropriated for particular offices shall he disbursed only for public purposes to be supported by appropriate vouchers and subject to such guidelines as may be prescribed by regional law.

47.       All money collected on any regional tax levied for a special purpose shall be treated as a special fund and paid out for such special purpose only. If the purpose for which a special fund was created has been fulfilled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall accrue to the general funds of the regional government.

48.       Trust funds shall only be paid out of the regional treasury upon fulfillment of the specific purpose for which said funds were created or received.

49.       Except as provided by its rules, the Legislative Assembly shall meet in open session. Regular session shall commence on the 4th Monday of April and shall continue to be in session for such member of days as may be determined by the Assembly until thirty (30) days before the opening of its next regular session.

50.       The Legislative Assembly shall meet in special sessions at the request of one-third (1/3) of all its Member or by call of the Chief Executive. Such special sessions must be convened with specific agenda.

51.       No bill shall become a law unless it has passed three (3) readings on separate days and printed copies thereof in its final form have been distributed to its members three (3) days before its passage, except when the Chief Executive certifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency.

52.       Every bill passed by the Legislative Assembly shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Chief Executive. If he approves the game, he shall sign it; otherwise, he shall veto it and return it with his objections to the Legislative Assembly, which shall enter the objections at large in its journal and proceed to consider it. If, after such reconsideration. two-thirds (2/3) of all the Members of the Legislative Assembly shall agree to pass the bill, it shall become a law. In all such cases, the veto shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the members voting for or against shall be entered in the journal. The Chief Executive shall communicate his veto of any bill to the Legislative Assembly with in thirty (30) days after the receipt thereof; otherwise, it shall become a law as if he had signed it.

53.              The Legislative Assembly may request the presence of the Chief Executive, Vive-Chief Executive, Cabinet members or their deputies, as the rules shall provide, for questioning on manners falling within the scope of their assigned powers and functions.

54.              Subject to the rules of the Legislative Assembly, the legislative power to inquire on matters relating to the exercise of administrative functions by an agency of government within the Autonomous Region shall be in the form of written questions.

55.       The Chief Executive shall submit to the Legislative Assembly not later than two (2) months before the beginning of every regular session, as the basis of the regional appropriations bill, a budget of expenditures and sources of financing, including receipts from existing and proposed revenue measures.

56.       The fiscal year of the Autonomous Region shall cover the period January 1 to December 31 of the same year.

57.       The Legislative Assembly may not increase the appropriations recommended by the Chief Executive for the operation of the Autonomous Government as specified in the budget The form, content and manner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed by regional law, provided, however, that pending the enactment of such regional law, the budgeting process shall be governed by existing national laws and rules and regulations prescribed by the Department of Budget and Management.

58.       The Chief Executive shall have the power lo veto any particular item or items in an appropriation or revenue bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object. The veto may be reconsidered by the Assembly by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all its members.

59.       The financial accounts of the expenditures and revenues of the Autonomous Region shall he audited by the Commission on Audit.

60.       No money shall be paid out of the Regional Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by regional law.

61.       No regional law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations; however, the Chief Executive, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Presiding Justice of the highest Shariah Court may, by law, be authorized to augment any item in the Regional General Appropriations Law for their respective offices from savings in other items of their respective appropriations.

ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM

62. The Regional Autonomous Government shall have the power to enact its own Regional Administrative Code and Regional Local Government Code consistent with national laws and the Constitution provided that it shall not in any way diminish the powers and functions already enjoyed by Local Governments Units.

RIGHT OF REPRESENTATTON AND PARTICIPATION IN THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT AND IN ALL ORGANS OF THE STATE.

General Principles:

63.       Representation in the National Government by the inhabitants of the autonomous region may be effected through appointment or electrons and must be subject to standards and guidelines prescribed for the position. When representation is done by appointment. The inhabitants of the Autonomous Region will be appointed by the resident of the Philippines to herein specified positions which are policy determining, highly technical, primarily confidential and supervisory upon recommendation by the Head of the Autonomous Government.

64.       Right of representation shall not be construed in such a way that applicant from the Autonomous Region, especially Muslims and Cultural Communities, for lower positions in the above organs of the government cannot be appointed anymore thereto.

Manner of Representation and participation

Executive

 65.       It shall be the policy of the National Government that there shall be at least one (1) member of the Cabinet (with the rank of Department Secretary) who is an inhabitant of the Autonomous Region ¹ be recommended by the Head Of the Autonomous Government.

66.        It shall likewise be a policy that there shall be at least one (1) official in each of the departments and the constitutional bodies of the national government who shall be appointed in executive, primarily confidential, highly technical or policy determining positions, from among the inhabitants of the Autonomous Region upon recommendations by the Head of the Regional Government. The Head of the Autonomous Government shall participate as ex-officio member of the National Security Council on all matters concerning the Autonomous Region and such other matters as may be determined by the President.

67.       Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) or institutions and their subsidiaries in the area of autonomy:

Where Government -Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) are operating mainly or with a subsidiary in the area of autonomy, as a policy, the Regional Autonomous Government shall he given some representation in the Board of Directors or in the policy-making body of said GOCCs or their subsidiaries consistent with their respective charters.

Legislative

68.       It shall be the policy of the National Government that the Regional Autonomous Government shall have one (1) representative Congress as Sectoral Representative. This is aside from the representative/congressmen elected from the congressional districts located m the autonomous region.

Judicial

69.       It shall be a policy of the national government that at lease one (1) justice in the Supreme Court and at least (2) in the Court of Appeals shall come from the autonomous Region. For this purpose, the Head of the Autonomous Government may submit the names of his recommendees to the Judicial and Bar Council for consideration. This is without prejudice to the appointment of qualified inhabitants of the Autonomous Region to other positions in the judiciary in accordance with their merits and qualifications.

70.       The GRP shall endeavor to cause the appointment, as a member of the Judicial and Bar Council, a qualified person to be recommended by the Head of the Regional Autonomous Government.

71.       The GRP shall request the Supreme Court to create the Office of the Deputy Court Administration for the Area of Autonomy, and to appoint thereto a qualified person recommend by the Head of the Regional Autonomous Government.

Civil Service Eligibilities

72.       The civil service eligibility requirements for appointment to government position shall be applicable in the Autonomous Government As necessary, the Civil Service Commission shall hold special civil service examinations in the region to further increase the number of eligible therein. For a period not longer than five (5) years from the establishment of the Regional Autonomous Government, the GRP will endeavor to provide for appropriate civil service eligibility to applicants in the Autonomous Region, provided, the minimum educational qualifications for the position are met.

B.         THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SPECIAL REGIONAL SECURITY FORCES FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION (PHASE-2 OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRIPOLI AGREEMENT)

General Principles

73. When the new regular Autonomous Regional Government shall have been established, there shall be created or constituted a PNP Regional Command for the new Autonomous Region, which shall be the Special Regional Security forces (SRSP) as referred to in Paragraph 8. Article III of the Tripoli Agreement.

74.       The Regional Legislative Assembly may enact laws governing the PNP Regional Command for the Autonomous Region/SRSF consistent with the constitutional provision that there shall be one police force in the country which is national in scope and civilian in character.

75. The PNP Regional Command for the-Autonomous Region/SRSPP shall be composed of the existing PNP units in the area of autonomy, the MNLF elements and other residents of the area who may later on be recruited into the force.

76.       The powers and functions of the PNP Regional Command for the Autonomous Region/SRSP, which shall be exercised within the territories covered by the Regional Autonomous Government (RAG), shall be the following:

a.         Enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and properties;

b.         Maintain peace and order and take all necessary steps to ensure public safely;

c.         Investigate and prevent crimes, effect the arrest of criminal offenders, bring offenders to justice and assist in their prosecution;

d.         Exercise the general powers to make arrest, search and seizure in accordance with the Constitution and pertinent laws;

c.         Detain and arrest person for a period not beyond what is prescribed by law, informing the person so detained of all his rights under the Constitution and observing the inherent human rights of the citizens; and

f.          Perform such other duties and exercise all other function as may be provided by law.

77.       The PNP Regional Command for the Autonomous Region/SRSF shall be charged with the maintenance and preservation of peace, law and order, and protection of life, liberty and property in the region in consonance with the Constitution.

Organization of the PNP Regional Command for Autonomous Region/SRSF

78.       It shall he civilian in nature or character.

79.       It shall be regional in scope of operations.

80.       It shall be beaded by a Regional Director who shall be assisted by two (1) Deputies, oaf (1) for Administration and one (I) for Operations.

81.       It shall have regional, provincial, and city or municipal offices.

82.       At the provincial level, there shall be a provincial office, headed by a Provincial Director.

83.       At the city or municipal level, there shall be an office/station, which shall be headed by a Chief of Police.

Powers of the Head of the Regional Autonomous Government over the PNP Regional Command for the Autonomous Region/SRSF.

84.       Act as the Deputy of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in the region and shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Regional Police Commission (REPOLCOM).

85.       Exercise operational control and general supervision and disciplinary powers.

86.       Employ/deploy the elements of the Regional Command through the Regional Director.

87.       Assign/reassign officers and other personnel through the Regional Director.

88.       Recommend to the President the appointment of the Regional Director and his two (2) Deputies.

89.       Oversee the preparation and implementation of the integrated regional public safety plan.

90.       Impose, after due notice and summary hearings of citizen's complaints, administrative penalties on personnel of the Regional Command except Presidential Appointees.

 Creation of the Regional Police Commission

91.       There shall be created a Regional Police Commission (REPOLCOM) by the Regional Legislative Assembly consistent with the Constitution.

92.       The REPOLCOM shall be under the supervision of the NAPOLCOM.

93. The Chairman of REPOLCOM shall be an ex-officio Commissioner of the NAPOLCOM.

C. EDUCATION

The Integrated System of Education

94.       The Regional Autonomous Government shall have an education component comprising of existing schools, colleges and universities in the present area at autonomy and such other schools and institutions in the future expanded area of autonomy, with the possible inclusion of state universities and colleges (SUCs) to be decided later on. The relationship of the Regional Autonomous Government educational body with the national educational system shall be that of a system and sub-system with emphasis on the autonomy of the sub-system. In the event that SUCs should be included as part of the educational component of the Regional Autonomous Government, the autonomous government recognizes the fiscal autonomy and academic freedom of the SUCs as mandated by their respective charters.

95.       The Regional Autonomous Government educational system shall, among others, perpetuates Filipino and Islamic ideals and aspirations, Islamic values and orientations of the Bangsamoro people. It shall develop the total spiritual, intellectual, social, cultural, scientific and physical aspects of the Bangsamoro people to make them God-fearing, productive, patriotic citizens, conscious of their Filipino and Islamic values and Islamic cultural heritage under the aegis of a just and equitable society.

The Structure of Educational System

96. The elementary level shall follow the basic national structure and shall primarily be concerned with providing basic education; the secondary level will correspond to four (4) years of high school, and the tertiary level shall be one year to three (3) years for non-degree courses and four (4) to eight (8) years for degree courses, as the case maybe in accordance with existing laws.

Curriculum

97.       The Regional Autonomous Government educational system will adopt the basic core courses for all Filipino children as well as the minimum required learning and orientations provided by the national government, including the subject areas and their daily time allotment. Teaching materials and curriculum contents shall promote solidarity, unity in diversity, Filipino and Islamic values.

98.       The addition of more required learning and instructional materials shall be the prerogative and responsibility of the Autonomous Government.

99.       The minimum requirements and standards prescribed by Department of Education Culture and Sports (DECS), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will be followed by the Autonomous Region.

100.     The same textbooks of the National Government will be used by schools in the Autonomous Region. The formulation, shaping and revision of textbooks are the responsibilities of the Regional Autonomous Government and the National Government and within agreed norms, academic freedom and relevant legal limits, the formulation and revisions shall emphasize Islamic values or orientation, in addition to Filipino values which include Christian values and values of indigenous people, modern sciences and technology as well as the latest educational thrusts. Having adopted the core curriculum of the national government in consideration of achieving the highest quality of education, student and graduates of the education system of the Autonomous Region shall be fully accredited when they transfer to non-autonomous regions.

101.     The integration of Islamic values in the curriculum should be done gradually after researches and studies are conducted.

102.     The teaching of Islamic values, as well as Filipino values, shall be incorporated in Good Manners and Right Conduct in appropriate grade levels including the tertiary level subject to agreed norms, academic freedom, and legal limitations.

103.     Muslim culture, mores, customs and traditions which are mainly based on Islam, as well as the cultures, mores, customs, and traditions of Christians and indigenous people, shall be preserved through the regular public and special schools in the Autonomous Region, considering that schools are perpetuating vehicles of the values of the people.

Administration of Educational System

104.     The management and control, and supervision of the entire education system in the area of autonomy shall be the primary concern of the Regional Autonomous Government, consistent with the declared policies of national educational bodies. The national education bodies shall monitor compliance by the regional educational system with national educational policies, standards and regulations in collaboration with the educational authorities of the autonomous region. The head of the educational system of the Regional Autonomous Government shall have the right to participate in policy and decision-making activities of the national educational bodies.

105.     The Regional Autonomous Government shaft be represented in the Board of SUCs in the region as co-chairman or at least, co-vice-chairman, as may be provided by law. Appointment to SUC Boards shall be made by the President of the Philippines.

106.     The Regional Autonomous Government will be responsible for specific administrative, management functions and powers, educational supervision and school administration, and regulation over private schools.

117.     The Organizational structure of the educational system in the autonomous region shall follow the basic structure of the national educational system. The Regional Legislative Assembly may add special structures, if necessary. It shall follow whatever organizations of the curricular years as found in the national set-up.

108.     Locally funded programs will be the responsibility of the Regional Autonomous Government.

109.     The selection, requirement appointment and promotion of teachers and employees shall be responsibility of the Regional Autonomous Government in accordance with general qualification standard prescribed by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) provided that the Regional Autonomous Government can initiate regionally-defined standards which are not below national standards.

110.     The selection, requirement, appointment and promotion of elementary, secondary and tertiary education employees shall be the responsibility of the Regional Autonomous Government in accordance with general standards of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and other existing recognized bodies.

111.     Primary disciplinary authority over officials and employees of the Regional Autonomous Government will be the area of concern of the Regional Autonomous Government in accordance with Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules and regulations. Administrative sanctions deemed appropriate and reasonable as determined by the Civil Service Commission will he the area of concern of the Regional Autonomous Government.

Religious Instruction

112.     Religious instruction in public schools should be optional, with the written consent of the parent/guardian, taught by the authorities of the religion to which the student belongs, and should not involve additional costs to the government in accordance with national policies.

Medium of Instruction

113.     Filipino and English shall be the medium of instruction in the areas of the Autonomy; provided that Arabic shall be an auxiliary medium of instruction.