Poe: BARMM status quo stays until SC ruling is final
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Poe: BARMM status quo stays until SC ruling is final
The government is keeping the status quo in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as it is still waiting for the Supreme Court decision excluding Sulu province from the BARMM to be final.
The government is keeping the status quo in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as it is still waiting for the Supreme Court decision excluding Sulu province from the BARMM to be final.
"While the Supreme Court decision on the exclusion of Sulu is stated to be immediately executable, we have to wait for the decision's finality since a motion for reconsideration was filed. The National Government committed to ensure maintaining services in Sulu and the smooth transition, taking a whole-of-government approach to continuously deliver essential services in the region," Senate Finance Committee Chair Grace Poe told the plenary deliberations of the Department of Budget and Management in the chamber.
"While the Supreme Court decision on the exclusion of Sulu is stated to be immediately executable, we have to wait for the decision's finality since a motion for reconsideration was filed. The National Government committed to ensure maintaining services in Sulu and the smooth transition, taking a whole-of-government approach to continuously deliver essential services in the region," Senate Finance Committee Chair Grace Poe told the plenary deliberations of the Department of Budget and Management in the chamber.
"It is encouraged to maintain the status quo for the BARMM and Sulu province to proceed as usual with payments of salaries to its employees and implementation of already funded projects."
"It is encouraged to maintain the status quo for the BARMM and Sulu province to proceed as usual with payments of salaries to its employees and implementation of already funded projects."
"An intergovernment relations body agreed to form a technical working group tasked with developing guidelines to ensure minimal disruption to essential services," Poe added.
"An intergovernment relations body agreed to form a technical working group tasked with developing guidelines to ensure minimal disruption to essential services," Poe added.
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She spoke for the DBM as only senators can talk during plenary sessions.
She spoke for the DBM as only senators can talk during plenary sessions.
"Status quo for now. All of the commitments that have to be provided until the Supreme Court has a final decision. All the services should continue. In the meantime, a technical working group is being formed to ensure some sort of transition. Either way, whatever the decision of the Supreme Court will be, I suppose. And that's really quite tricky because there will always be parties that will feel aggrieved by the decision whether yes or no," she said.
"Status quo for now. All of the commitments that have to be provided until the Supreme Court has a final decision. All the services should continue. In the meantime, a technical working group is being formed to ensure some sort of transition. Either way, whatever the decision of the Supreme Court will be, I suppose. And that's really quite tricky because there will always be parties that will feel aggrieved by the decision whether yes or no," she said.
Responding to Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, Poe maintained that the status quo covers the payment of salaries.
Responding to Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, Poe maintained that the status quo covers the payment of salaries.
"So dako naman ako dun sa regional governments budgetary provisions for Sulu. We know that in 2024, the BARMM allocated 9.08 billion pesos to Sulu with 4.5 billion pesos going towards salaries for about 7,800 workers. These include personnel from the school division, staff at hospitals, and employees of higher education institutions in the province. Since the interim parliament is currently working on legislating their budget for 2025, can you tell us, Madam Sponsor, if this or any funding for Sulu is still included, Mr. President?" Hontiveros asked.
"So dako naman ako dun sa regional governments budgetary provisions for Sulu. We know that in 2024, the BARMM allocated 9.08 billion pesos to Sulu with 4.5 billion pesos going towards salaries for about 7,800 workers. These include personnel from the school division, staff at hospitals, and employees of higher education institutions in the province. Since the interim parliament is currently working on legislating their budget for 2025, can you tell us, Madam Sponsor, if this or any funding for Sulu is still included, Mr. President?" Hontiveros asked.
"So basically, status quo, okay? So the salaries and benefits of local government in the province of Sulu shall continue and are to be charged against available local government funds, okay? So ALGU, yung Mandanas-Garcia. Meron pa rin sila doon share. But for the personnel of the various provincial field offices in the different ministries under BARMM government will continue to be charged against their corresponding appropriations from the annual block grant. So sa ngayon, Mr. President, dahil hindi pa naman final, ganun pa rin, yung funding ng block grant, dun sa mga nakasama na sa BARMM. Ngayon, yung mga hindi pa nakasama sa BARMM, tuloy-tuloy pa rin dun sa NTA at kung ano pang mga ibang sources of income nila as was in the past. Diba? So unless masasama sila sa BARM, hindi sila masasama dun sa block grant na yun," Poe explained.
"So basically, status quo, okay? So the salaries and benefits of local government in the province of Sulu shall continue and are to be charged against available local government funds, okay? So ALGU, yung Mandanas-Garcia. Meron pa rin sila doon share. But for the personnel of the various provincial field offices in the different ministries under BARMM government will continue to be charged against their corresponding appropriations from the annual block grant. So sa ngayon, Mr. President, dahil hindi pa naman final, ganun pa rin, yung funding ng block grant, dun sa mga nakasama na sa BARMM. Ngayon, yung mga hindi pa nakasama sa BARMM, tuloy-tuloy pa rin dun sa NTA at kung ano pang mga ibang sources of income nila as was in the past. Diba? So unless masasama sila sa BARM, hindi sila masasama dun sa block grant na yun," Poe explained.
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Hontiveros noted there is no need for the national government to fund Sulu separately.
Hontiveros noted there is no need for the national government to fund Sulu separately.
"So included pa rin yung allocation ng BARMM para sa Sulu. So, ibig sabihin, yung national government will not need to provide funding for programs and services in Sulu that were originally devolved to the BARMM. Tama pa rin po ba yung understanding ko up to this point, Mr. President?" Hontiveros said.
"So included pa rin yung allocation ng BARMM para sa Sulu. So, ibig sabihin, yung national government will not need to provide funding for programs and services in Sulu that were originally devolved to the BARMM. Tama pa rin po ba yung understanding ko up to this point, Mr. President?" Hontiveros said.
"Yes," Poe answered.
"Yes," Poe answered.
Poe also told Hontiveros that the status quo also covers the delivery of services.
Poe also told Hontiveros that the status quo also covers the delivery of services.
The senator gave assurance that the government and lawmakers will make sure there is minimal disruption to those affected by the ruling of the court.
The senator gave assurance that the government and lawmakers will make sure there is minimal disruption to those affected by the ruling of the court.
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"I think it's better for us to await also the results of the technical working group, how it will be properly organized and devolved. But one thing I know is sure, we've worked so hard to reach this stage with the BARMM that what we're trying to achieve here is peace among our brothers in Mindanao, our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. So this government, and I think I share the sentiments of our colleagues here, including those from the executive who work in the executive, we will make sure that they don't feel na nakukulangan sila or napapabayaan sila because we're not going to risk destabilization there by being irresponsible and not looking at the proper transition for whatever decision the Supreme Court will be making for the province," she said.
"I think it's better for us to await also the results of the technical working group, how it will be properly organized and devolved. But one thing I know is sure, we've worked so hard to reach this stage with the BARMM that what we're trying to achieve here is peace among our brothers in Mindanao, our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. So this government, and I think I share the sentiments of our colleagues here, including those from the executive who work in the executive, we will make sure that they don't feel na nakukulangan sila or napapabayaan sila because we're not going to risk destabilization there by being irresponsible and not looking at the proper transition for whatever decision the Supreme Court will be making for the province," she said.
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