Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11054)
The law is officially known as the "Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao."
Those who, at the advent of the Spanish colonization, were considered natives or original inhabitants of Mindanao, the Sulu archipelago, and its adjacent islands, whether of mixed or full blood, have the right to identify themselves, their spouses, and descendants as Bangsamoro.
It is an integral, indivisible, and inseparable part of the national territory of the Philippines, including the areas composing the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, specified municipalities and barangays in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato, the cities of Cotabato and Isabela in Basilan, and other contiguous areas that opt for inclusion via plebiscite.
A parliamentary form of government that allows its people to participate freely in political processes within its territory.
The Bangsamoro Government exercises authority over administration of justice, land and natural resources management, education, health services, economic policies, customary laws, culture, and various other functions listed comprehensively in Article V Section 2 of the Organic Law.
The President exercises general supervision to ensure laws are faithfully executed and may suspend the Chief Minister for willful violations. The President also appoints members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and is involved in approving international treaties and donations.
An interim government composed of 80 members appointed by the President, which exercises both legislative and executive powers during the transition period until the first regular election of the Bangsamoro Government.
Half are elected through proportional representation from political parties; up to 40% are elected from single-member parliamentary districts; and at least 10% are reserved seats representing indigenous peoples, settlers, women, youth, traditional leaders, and the Ulama.
A member must be a Filipino citizen, at least 25 years old on election day, able to read and write, and a registered voter in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Youth representatives must be 18 to 30 years of age.
It includes the Shari'ah courts, traditional or tribal laws of indigenous peoples, and regular Philippine courts. Shari'ah applies exclusively to Muslims but may apply to non-Muslims who voluntarily submit. Traditional laws apply within indigenous communities.
The Bangsamoro Government has fiscal autonomy to levy taxes, fees, and charges within its jurisdiction, subject to limitations. National taxes collected within Bangsamoro are shared, with 75% going to Bangsamoro and its local government units, and 25% to the National Government, subject to transitional provisions.
Revenues from exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources belong fully to the Bangsamoro Government, except uranium and fossil fuels revenues, which may be co-managed and shared equally with the National Government. Shares are also apportioned among constituent local government units and indigenous communities.
The National Government provides an annual block grant sufficient for Bangsamoro's powers and functions, not less than the latest budget of the former Autonomous Region. It is automatically appropriated in the General Appropriations Act and released directly to the Bangsamoro Government.
The Wali serves as the ceremonial head of the Bangsamoro Government, performing functions like opening parliamentary sessions, administering oaths, dissolving Parliament upon advice, and attending public ceremonies.
The Parliament may create, divide, merge, abolish, or alter boundaries by law, subject to criteria, and approval by plebiscite in the affected political units.