QuestionsQuestions (BIR REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 76-91)
The short title is the “Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.” Its purpose is to establish the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMM), provide its basic structure of government, and allow meaningful self-governance within the framework of the Constitution and national sovereignty/territorial integrity.
Those considered natives/original inhabitants of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago and adjacent islands at the advent of Spanish colonization (whether of mixed or full blood). They have the right to identify themselves, their spouses, and descendants as Bangsamoro.
The Parliament adopts the official flag, emblem, and hymn of BARMM. The Philippine flag must always be displayed alongside the Bangsamoro flag. Whenever the Bangsamoro hymn is sung, it must be preceded by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.
It includes the land mass and waters over which BARMM has jurisdiction. It is described as integral, indivisible, and inseparable part of the national territory of the Republic as defined by the Constitution and existing laws.
It subsists from (a) the existing area of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RA 6734, as amended by RA 9054) until ratification, plus (b) municipalities in Lanao del Norte that voted for inclusion in the 2001 plebiscite, (c) specified barangays in North Cotabato that voted for inclusion in 2001, (d) the City of Cotabato, (e) the City of Isabela in Basilan, and (f) other contiguous areas via local resolution or a petition of at least 10% of registered voters filed at least 2 months prior to ratification.
It takes effect upon ratification of the Organic Law by a majority of votes cast in the abovementioned territorial jurisdiction in a plebiscite. In all cases, the political units directly affected must vote favorably.
All inland waters such as lakes, rivers, river systems, and streams within its jurisdiction form part of BARMM inland waters. Preservation and management are under BARMM Government as provided in the Organic Law (cited in the text as Section 22, Article XIII).
Municipal waters extend up to 15 km from the low-water mark of coasts. Regional waters extend up to 19 km. If two LGUs are on opposite shores and the waters between them are 30 km or less, a line equally distant from opposite shores demarcates the waters. If more than 30 km but less than 34 km, the line is at the edge of the 15-km municipal waters of the adjoining LGU.
BARMM is an integral, indivisible, and inseparable part of the Philippines’ territory, and the Bangsamoro people must uphold the Constitution and owe allegiance and fidelity to the Republic.
It mandates a democratic political system allowing free participation in political processes and a parliamentary form of government.
Executive authority is exercised by the Cabinet headed by the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is elected by a majority vote of all members of the Parliament.
Examples include: administration of justice; agriculture, livestock, and food security; ancestral domain and natural resources; education and skills training; health; environment and parks/forest management; fishery/marine/aquatic resources; public works and infrastructure; trade and industry; Islamic banking and finance; and others listed in Section 2, Article V.
The President exercises general supervision to ensure laws are faithfully executed. The President may suspend the Chief Minister for up to six months for willful violation of the Constitution, national laws, or the Organic Law.
The Parliament has 80 members unless Congress increases it. Seats are allocated to party representatives via proportional representation (half of members), parliamentary district seats (not more than 40%), and reserved/sectoral seats (at least 10% including two reserved seats each for non-Moro indigenous peoples and settler communities; plus one each for women, youth, traditional leaders, and the Utama, with at least eight reserved/sectoral seats minimum).