Multi-purpose building, evacuation center turned over to Brgy. 20-B Bangsamoro electoral code signed into law

Lawmakers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) approved on third and final reading the draft electoral code late Wednesday evening and eventually signed by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim early Thursday.

During his visit to the BARMM last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged regional leaders to pass the necessary codes as contained in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), especially the electoral code.

Ebrahim, who certified the bill as urgent, promised the Chief Executive that the measure will become law by the first quarter of 2023, to guide the conduct of the first regional parliament elections in 2025.

Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Deputy Speaker Omar Yasser Sema, who acted as presiding chair, banged the gavel at 11:58 p.m. to approve BTA Bill No. 29 that will prescribe the structural, functional, and procedural principles of the elections, referenda, and recall proceedings in the region.

The BTA parliament is BARMM’s provisional lawmaking body.

Sixty-four of the 81 lawmak- ers in attendance voted yes. No one voted against and nobody abstained.

Now called the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35 or the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC) of 2023, the law established the Bangsamoro electoral office under the direct supervision of the Commission on Elections, regional political parties in the Bangsamoro, elective positions in the parliament, election administration, election offenses, and legal fees, among others.

“The adoption of the BEC today is a major step towards realizing such a promise,” Ebrahim said after signing the law.

Filed in Sept. 2022, the draft code was immediately referred to the BTA Rules Committee.

From Oct. 2022 to Jan. 2023, 12 public consultations were held in Manila, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, and the BARMM Special Geographic Area to ensure that all stakeholders were involved in the legislation process.

With the electoral code as the latest addition, BARMM lawmakers have so far approved four laws contained in the BOL, including the administrative, civil service, and education codes.

FBANGSAMORO, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, son of First Congressional District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, led the turnover ceremony of the multi-purpose building and evacuation center in Barangay 20-B Poblacion, Davao City on Wednesday.

The turnover ceremony coincided with the celebration of the 48th Araw ng Barangay. The new facility aims to equip communities with safe spaces.

Rigo, grandson and namesake of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, is hopeful that the barangay officials and the residents will take care of the facilities.

“Nalipay ko na nahatagan mo aning mga pasilidad kay kabalo ko makatabang ni sa inyo. Hangyo lang ko na atong kining ampingan,” Rigo said. The facilities will also provide residents with a location to help them throughout the situation they are dealing with.

Barangay 20-B chieftain Gina Murillo, together barangay the staff and the residents, welcomed

Rigo and expressed her gratitude to Rep. Duterte and the entire First Congressional District staff. “Sugod pa lang jud ni para karong tuiga sa daghang serbisyo. Nasayud mi nga atong congressman (Duterte) anaa dira para mangita ug paagi kung sa unsa matabangan pa niya ta’g samot, hilabi na sa mga nanginahanglan,” Murillo said. Murillo said the facilities would be a center for various community services and events, including awareness drives, conferences, and other public greetings. She added that the building