DBM tells Bangsamoro gov't, Sulu province to maintain 'status quo' despite SC ruling | ABS-CBN
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DBM tells Bangsamoro gov't, Sulu province to maintain 'status quo' despite SC ruling
A woman sells fish at a wet market In Cotabato City a day before the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Plebiscite. January 20, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
A woman sells fish at a wet market In Cotabato City a day before the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Plebiscite. January 20, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday called on stakeholders in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and Sulu to maintain "status quo" after the Supreme Court ruled that the province was not part of the region.
MANILA — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday called on stakeholders in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and Sulu to maintain "status quo" after the Supreme Court ruled that the province was not part of the region.
In a statement, Pangandaman said that while the DBM recognizes the decision of the high court to exclude Sulu province from the BARMM, citing the result of a 2019 plebiscite, it was best to wait the "finality of judgment" since a motion for reconsideration could be filed.
In a statement, Pangandaman said that while the DBM recognizes the decision of the high court to exclude Sulu province from the BARMM, citing the result of a 2019 plebiscite, it was best to wait the "finality of judgment" since a motion for reconsideration could be filed.
"[W]hile the Decision states that it is immediately executory, it is prudent to wait for it to reach finality, considering the significant implications for its enforcement – to ensure that when commenced, the same had already attained a state of immutability," DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
"[W]hile the Decision states that it is immediately executory, it is prudent to wait for it to reach finality, considering the significant implications for its enforcement – to ensure that when commenced, the same had already attained a state of immutability," DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
"We encourage all the stakeholders in the BARMM and in the province of Sulu to maintain the status quo," she added.
The DBM chief told BARMM and Sulu province to proceed as usual with payments of salaries to its employees and implementation of already funded projects.
The DBM chief told BARMM and Sulu province to proceed as usual with payments of salaries to its employees and implementation of already funded projects.
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"We would like to affirm that the salaries and benefits of local government personnel in the Province shall continue, and are to be charged against available local government funds, while those for the personnel of the various Provincial Field Offices in the different ministries under the BARMM Government should continue to be charged against their corresponding appropriations from the annual Block Grant," Pandangaman said.
"We would like to affirm that the salaries and benefits of local government personnel in the Province shall continue, and are to be charged against available local government funds, while those for the personnel of the various Provincial Field Offices in the different ministries under the BARMM Government should continue to be charged against their corresponding appropriations from the annual Block Grant," Pandangaman said.
Bangsamoro spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun earlier said the parliament decided to continue paying the 5,733 affected employees even after September 16 for "humanitarian reasons."
Bangsamoro spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun earlier said the parliament decided to continue paying the 5,733 affected employees even after September 16 for "humanitarian reasons."
He pointed out that the Bangsamoro parliament officially received the SC ruling on September 16, so the period of September 1 to 15 is still covered by BARMM.
He pointed out that the Bangsamoro parliament officially received the SC ruling on September 16, so the period of September 1 to 15 is still covered by BARMM.
Pendatun said they asked affected employees to sign a document of undertaking, in case there is a notice of disallowance and they need to return the salaries.
Pendatun said they asked affected employees to sign a document of undertaking, in case there is a notice of disallowance and they need to return the salaries.
The over 5,700 employees are teaching and non-teaching personnel of BARMM in Sulu.
The over 5,700 employees are teaching and non-teaching personnel of BARMM in Sulu.
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The Bangsamoro spokesperson said they were awaiting official directive on the projects already budgeted for Sulu, some of which have yet to be implemented.
The Bangsamoro spokesperson said they were awaiting official directive on the projects already budgeted for Sulu, some of which have yet to be implemented.
The DBM said that in its opinion, the projects should continue.
The DBM said that in its opinion, the projects should continue.
"On the implementation of projects for the Province funded by the Bangsamoro Government (BG) under its GAAB (up to FY 2024 GAAB), we are of the opinion that programs, projects, and activities (PAPs) should continue to be implemented until the finality of the Decision as evidenced by the issuance of an entry of judgment," Pangandaman said.
"On the implementation of projects for the Province funded by the Bangsamoro Government (BG) under its GAAB (up to FY 2024 GAAB), we are of the opinion that programs, projects, and activities (PAPs) should continue to be implemented until the finality of the Decision as evidenced by the issuance of an entry of judgment," Pangandaman said.
"Pertinent provisions on the validity of appropriations shall apply accordingly. Considering the SC Ruling, funding for PAPs for the Province shall already be excluded from BARMM’s annual budget for the succeeding fiscal years," she added.
"Pertinent provisions on the validity of appropriations shall apply accordingly. Considering the SC Ruling, funding for PAPs for the Province shall already be excluded from BARMM’s annual budget for the succeeding fiscal years," she added.
Pendatun also raised concern over the projects, mostly infrastructure, that have been allotted for Sulu province for 2025.
Pendatun also raised concern over the projects, mostly infrastructure, that have been allotted for Sulu province for 2025.
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Pangandaman, who is the first Muslim Budget Secretary, expressed her "strong and continued support" in sustaining the gains of BARMM.
Pangandaman, who is the first Muslim Budget Secretary, expressed her "strong and continued support" in sustaining the gains of BARMM.
"The DBM stands in full support of the BARMM and Sulu province as both parties begin to thresh out their respective concerns over the SC ruling. Rest assured that we will discuss thoroughly the future guidelines with the NG-BARMM IGRB and with President Marcos for the future transitioning in compliance with the SC Ruling," she said.
"The DBM stands in full support of the BARMM and Sulu province as both parties begin to thresh out their respective concerns over the SC ruling. Rest assured that we will discuss thoroughly the future guidelines with the NG-BARMM IGRB and with President Marcos for the future transitioning in compliance with the SC Ruling," she said.
Pendatun said the Bangsamoro government requested for a meeting with the inter-governmental relations body, the mechanism wherein the BARMM parliament and national government discuss and resolve issues.
Pendatun said the Bangsamoro government requested for a meeting with the inter-governmental relations body, the mechanism wherein the BARMM parliament and national government discuss and resolve issues.
Pangandaman is also the co-chair of the Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body.
Pangandaman is also the co-chair of the Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body.
The first-ever Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are set to happen together with the national and local elections on May 12, 2025.
The first-ever Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are set to happen together with the national and local elections on May 12, 2025.
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