Palace: Duterte leaving extension of BTA term, economic Cha-cha up to Congress

President Rodrigo Duterte is leaving it up to Congress to decide whether to pass measures extending the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, his spokesman said on Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said the same of the House of Representatives' approval of the resolution seeking amendments to economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution.

“The President listens to everyone, but he has been consistent that he is leaving the proposals on extension of BTA to Congress,” Roque said.

“He said they (parties for and against the extension) should coordinate with the senators and Congress members,” he added.

The BTA is supposed to oversee the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao until the May 2002 regional polls, which would be held simultaneous with the 2022 national and local elections.

The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) earlier said proposals to extend BTA’s tenure up to 2025 should be resolved soon for the region’s stability.

The TPMT is tasked with regularly monitoring the implementation of the peace agreements signed between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

As regards economic Cha-cha, Roque said the House of Representatives' action to amend the Constitution to open the economy to greater percentage of foreign ownership was within the bounds of the law.

"Hinahayaan po natin iyan dahil iyan po ay initiative talaga ng Kongreso ‘no. Ang nangyayari po ay amendment pursuant to Constituent Assembly ‘no at iyan naman po ay prerogative talaga ng ating Kongreso,” Roque said.

[We let Congress proceed with the initiative provided under the Constituent Assembly of our Constitution. It is really their prerogative.] —Llanesca T. Panti/NB, GMA News