Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 777)
Executive Order No. 777 seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9054, which created the expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested by law, created the National Preparatory Committee through Executive Order No. 777.
The committee is tasked to: formulate and recommend amendments to RA 9054 to the President within six months; conduct dialogues and consultations with stakeholders; and perform other related functions necessary for its mandate.
The committee is composed of a Chairperson and fourteen members representing various sectors including: ARMM Regional Government, provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, the Regional Legislative Assembly, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, Lumads, Christians, academia (two members), and civil society organizations (two members).
The Chairperson and members are appointed by the President upon recommendation from the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (PAPP).
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) serves as the Secretariat and provides technical and administrative support.
An amount of Twenty Million Pesos (PhP20,000,000.00) is allocated for operational expenses, and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is directed to release this through OPAPP from the President's Contingent Fund.
The committee must formulate and recommend a package of amendments within six (6) months from the issuance of Executive Order No. 777.
Yes, the committee may tap legal advisers and call upon government agencies, government-owned or controlled corporations, and civil society organizations to serve as resource persons to aid in its mandate.