MP Jose Iribani Lorena

Eid Al-Adha Mubarak to all.

I pray to the Almighty Allah that He grants us His Mercy, accept our prayers, good deeds and guide us always to His right path.

Bangsamoro Transition Authority - BARMM Member of Parliament (MP) Atty. Jose Iribani Lorena attended the Multiparty Democracy Summit - BARMM, organized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and PARTICIPATE BARMM yesterday June 3, 2024 at the COMELEC Main Office, Intramuros, Metro Manila.

The summit gathered representatives of the different emerging regional political parties to discuss the salient features of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR); its arising issues and to provide the regional political parties with updates from COMELEC on the preparations for the 2025 BARMM Parliamentary Elections.

Bangsamoro Transition Authority - BARMM Member of Parliament and Deputy Floor Leader Atty. Jose Iribani Lorena was invited by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) to join the Meeting of OPAPRU and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) last May 27, 2024 in Jolo, Sulu. The meeting focused on the fastracking of the implementation of the remaining commitments of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement and to pursue an inclusive MNLF Transformation Program for the combatants, their families and communities.

As former Undersecretary of OPAPP and his involvement in the Tripartite Review Process of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement, MP Lorena fully supports and congratulates OPAPRU for the implementation of the MNLF Transformation Program. He also highlighted that the forty-two (42) consensus points during the Tripartite Review was included in the Bangsamoro Organic Law or Republic Act 11054. He then emphasized specific provisions under the law that supports the implementation of a transformation program particulary on the provision of socio-economic support for combatants, their families and communities.

I join our brothers, sisters, the Muslim Ummah and the entire Muslim World in the joyful and peaceful celebration of Eidl Fitr.
As we put to close the month of Ramadan, may the Almighty ALLAH grant us his mercy, accept our sacrifices, prayers and reward us for all our ibadah.
Let us continue to practice humility, perseverance, sacrifice, peace and love for humanity, all virtues that we learned, exhibited and practiced during the entire month of Ramadan.
Taqqaballahu minna wa minkum
"May ALLAH swt accept [good deeds] from you and us"

With Majority Leader and Zamboanga City, 2nd District Congressman Manuel "Mannix" Dalipe during the launching of Bagong Pilipinas in Butuan city, Agusan del Norte held today. The activity was attended by local officials and 67 Congressman. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez with his wife Tingog Congresswoman Yeda Marie Romualdez and Senator Ramon Bautista B**g Revilla Jr. graced the occasion.

March 5, 2024 Jolo, Sulu. MP Jose Lorena attends Ground Breaking Ceremony of Infrastructure Projects in Jolo Sulu - the Rehabilitation of BPMA Staff House at Port of Jolo and the Construction of the Airport Office Building both under MP Lorena's funded TDIF. Gov. Abdusakur "Sakur" Tan, MP Nabil Tan, MP Adzfar Usman, MP Atty. Paisalin P. Tago also graced the event.

Rayatt Development Party secretary-general, Atty. MP Jose Iribani Lorena

Graced the turn-over ceremony projects under TDIF Program 2022-2023 of MP Jose Lorena. Turning over Land Ambulance, Patient Transport Vehicle, Tulong Medical Assistance, Bemonc Drugs, Essential Medicines, and Licensure Examination Cash Assistance. Held March 4, 2024 at Bajau Hall 3, Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City.

BARMM, Cotabato airports set for upgrades

BusinessWorld, January 11, 2024

COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro region is gearing up for a new era of modern, efficient, and reliable air transport facilities with significant developments in two key airports in the region, along with the Central Mindanao Airport (CMA) in M’lang, Cotabato province.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MoTC) is constructing plush passenger lounges at the Sanga-Sanga and Awang airports in B**gao, Tawi-Tawi, and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, respectively.

This initiative, complementing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) focuses on essential infrastructure projects, aims to boost investment prospects in this part of the Southern Philippines.

Funded through grants from the Transitional Development Impact Fund, allocated by regional lawmakers Baintan A. Ampatuan, Amilbahar S. Mawallil, and Jose I. Lorena, each passenger lounge building costs at least P5 million.

MoTC Minister Paisalin P. Tago said the completion of the lounges is expected in less than three months from the launching of the twin projects last Dec. 18 and Ronald Halid D. Torres, chairman of the Bangsamoro Business Council, told BusinessWorld on Thursday that his group welcomes the development.

Tawi-Tawi Governor Esmael Sali expressed gratitude to the regional parliament and the MoTC, citing the projects’ positive impact on his province’s status as a new investment hub in the BARMM.

Meanwhile, Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza announced that the Central Mindanao Airport in Barangay Tawan-Tawan, M’lang is among the 22 airports funded by the national government in 2024, receiving around P300 million.

The funds will be used for the construction of the administrative building, powerhouse, control tower, water supply system, and rehabilitation of the fire station.

Cotabato Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha T. Santos and Deputy Speaker Raymond D. Mendoza teamed up to secure additional funding for the CMA, which was acknowledged by Ms. Taliño-Mendoza. (By John Felix M. Unson and Maya M. Padillo)

BARMM, Cotabato airports set for upgrades - BusinessWorld Online COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro region is gearing up for a new era of modern, efficient, and reliable air transport facilities with significant developments in two key airports in the region, along with the Central Mindanao Airport (CMA) in M’lang, Cotabato province.

𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝘆. 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗜. 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗠𝗢𝗣) 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝘂

Deputy Floor Leader (DFL) Atty. Jose I. Lorena in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under the leadership of Dr. Rizaldy L. Piang, conducted Medical Outreach Program (MOP) in Sulu last December 1-3, 2023.

On his commitment to address the eye health problem of the large population in Sulu who are indigent and unable to afford high quality eye care, DFL Atty. Lorena with his team through the MOH provided a Medical Financial Assistance of One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000) for Ophthalmic Surgery and was turned over to the Chief of Maimbung District Hospital (MDH) Dr. Shaheeda T. Hassiman, MPM. The Ophthalmic Surgery led by Dr. Eshir Ismael aimed to operate 100 patients with eye problems such as cataract and pterygium. The patients who came from different areas in Sulu has already underwent pre-screening to determine their eligibility for surgery and post-operative care to ensure proper healing and recovery.

DFL Atty. Lorena also through the MOH and in collaboration with Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) - Sulu Chief Dr. Farrah Tan - Omar turned over Twenty (20) Hearing Aids, Fifty (50) Wheel Chairs and Fifty Five (55) Canes to identified persons with disability (PWDs) recipients. These assistive devices are funded from DFL Lorena’s 2022 Medical Outreach Program (MOP) which sought to provide mobility aids and improved hearing to PWDs in the province of Sulu. The ongoing distribution is vital in the commitment of DFL Lorena in boosting the quality and the reach of health services to the people across the province.

I CONDEMN IN THE STRONGEST TERM THE BOMBING OF RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION AND THE KILLING OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS FOR WHATEVER REASON IT MAY BE AND CALL ON THE LEGAL AUTHORITIES TO CONDUCT THE NECESSARY INVESTIGATION OF THE MARAWI BOMBING TO FERRET OUT THE TRUTH AND BRING THE PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

MP Jose I. Lorena

Deputy Floor Leader Atty. Jose I. Lorena together with Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim and members of the Parliament attended today the 1st BARMM Local Legislative General Assembly with the theme “Quality Public Policy Formulation: Key to BARMM Sustainable Peace and Development,” held at Acacia Hotel, Lanang, Davao City. The General Assembly was graced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr that aims to showcase both the National and BARMM programs and to empower the local legislative bodies to be active partners of the BARMM for holistic development.

Also in attendance are the city and municipal Vice Mayors; the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Panglungsod, and Panlalawigan; the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairpersons; and the Alliance for Barangay Concerns (ABC) President in the Bangsamoro region.

𝐀𝐓𝐌 | 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 MP Jose Iribani Lorena 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲'𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞.

𝙁𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙒𝙁𝘿 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨!
Website: https://www.wfd.org/
Twitter:

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 MP Jose Iribani Lorena will tackle 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 – 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬/𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 in Bangkok, Thailand on 24 August 2023 during the 8th International Conference on Democracy and Elections.

Joining him in the panel are 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐝𝐢, Sri Lankan Parliamentarian; 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐊𝐚𝐧, Vice CEO of Citizen Congress Watch Taiwan; 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐣𝐚, WFD Country Director Sri Lanka, 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧, WFD Head of Practice (Elections), and moderated by 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐇𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬, WFD Director, Asia-Pacific and Americas.

📍𝙁𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙒𝙁𝘿 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨!
Website: https://www.wfd.org/
Twitter:

On July 12, 2023, MP Atty. Jose I. Lorena together with other members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) met with key officials of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) led by Naomi Barnard, Senior Programne Manager for East Asia and Pacific, Hannah Bowley, Programme Manager for Asia-Pacific and Americas and The RT Hon Lord Jack McConnell, WFD Consultant at Acacia Hotel, Davao City to discuss the current political issues in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as well as other WFD Project Implementation in the region. As the WFD is starting their Year 3 Programming, their officials would like to visit BARMM to have a broader lens of its current political context.

TODAY MP Atty. Jose Iribani Lorena took part in the Principles for Peace (P4P) Southeast Asia Launch with a theme "Reimagining and Reenergizing Support for the Bangsamoro Peace Process” in Waterfront Hotel, Davao City. The event gathered peace leaders, advocates and stakeholders from various sectors to review and provide recommendations on how the P4P can be utilized to revitalize the broad support that have accompanied the Bangsamoro Peace Process. The P4P serves as a follow-up mechanism for a Principles for Peace Initiative that promotes the implementation of new principles, standards, and metrics that aim to fundamentally reshape peace and conflict prevention efforts and charting a path towards lasting peace.

The launch was also attended by peace champions of the Bangsamoro Peace Process ~ Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity Carlito G. Galvez Jr., Former OPAPP Secretary Teresita “Ging” Quintos-Deles, members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and Mindanao State University (MSU) President Atty. Basari Mapupuno.

This successful event was jointly organized by Principle for Peace Foundation, Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, Initiatives for International Dialogues, International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance Inc., and GZO Peace Institute.

Eid Al Adha Mubarak to Everyone. This day of sacrifice should remind us that we are mandated by the Almighty Allah to enjoy the abundance of this world not only for ourselves but to share whatever entrustment to us either wealth or power for service of all humanity, starting with our family, neighbors and our community, even our enemies.

On May 23, 2023 the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines Deputy Head of Mission Thimon Fürst and Nicolas De Torrente, Special Advisor of the Task Force Dealing with the Past of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Philippines met with BTA BARMM Deputy Floor Leader MP Atty Jose I. Lorena to discuss the status of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) in BARMM.

During the meeting, MP Lorena shared that in the BARMM there is a proposed legislation in the parliament on the TJRC but is currently under the Tier 2. MP Lorena however recommended to the body to prioritize TJRC in Tier 1 as Transitional Justice and Reconciliation (TJR) is a foundational provision in the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F). MP Lorena, though emphasized that the TJRC Report of the Mo Bleeker Committee, implementation should prioritize the organization of the TJRC national body, as the TJRC Report submitted by that committee calls for national responsibility to address the historical injustices against the Bangsamoro. In fact, there is already a proposed legislation calling for establishment of the National Body. e.g. Alonto-Balindong Bill now pending in Congress.

Additionally he shared that in the meantime, initiatives are also being undertaken by BARMM to address TJR such as the inclusion of Bangsamoro History in the education curricula; addressing of land conflicts/issues in Marawi City through the Task Force Bangon Marawi is supported by BARMM; and the fast tracking of the Indigeneous People’s Rights Act for ancestral domains covered in BARMM areas.

May 23, 2023 - Session No. 24, the Committee on Rules presented the Committee Report No. 07 regarding BTA Parliament Bill No. 43, entitled “AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PARANG, PROVINCE OF MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING BOOK I, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 9 OF THE BAA No. 13, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

During the period of interpellation, MP Atty. Lorena manifested that it is within the power of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to identify the seat of the government because Section 3 Article 16 of Republic Act 11054 (Organic Law) clearly provides that “All powers of the Bangsamoro Government as provided in this Organic Law is vested in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority during the transition period.”

MP Lorena also raised the following issues to the Committee: that the transfer of the seat of the BARMM is an important issue which may need the participation of the people and the entire constituency of the BARMM, hence, the Parliament may exercise its power to call for a referendum as provided for in Item B, Section 5 of Article 7, of Republic Act 11054; the classification and size of land where the seat of the government will be located; the effectiveness of transferring the seat of the government from Cotabato City to the Municipality of Parang as well as its economic impact; the cost needed to put up a regional center and the sufficiency of its money sources to develop it; issue on whether Parang is similar to Cotabato with respect to its ecological makeup as studied by the environmentalist that Cotabato will submerge as a consequence of climate change; and the basis of the conduct of feasibility study by the Ministry of Public Works that should be presented to the plenary for further scrutiny and approve by the Parliament.

MP Atty. Jose I. Lorena attended last May 9 and 15, 2023 meetings of the Committee on Finance, Budget and Management held at the Speaker’s Lounge, Bangsamoro Government Center deliberating and seeking the approval of BTA Bill No. 41, entitled “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A BUFFER FUND TO DEFRAY THE COST FOR THE TIMELY PAYMENT OF SALARIES AND OTHER REMUNERATION OF WORKERS FOR PERSONNEL OF NATIONALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS DEPLOYED IN THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANO (BARMM) UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF ITS MINISTRIES AND OFFICES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

As the Committee Vice-Chair, he manifested that there should be a publication of the ongoing and implemented projects of the Bangsamoro Government to ensure transparency and to inform the public that the transition government is building and working towards a better foundation together with their partners.

Also during his interview with the BTA Media after the May 9, 2023 meeting of Committee on Finance Budget and Management, MP Lorena recognized the hard work and sacrifices of every single employee and staff in the Bangsamoro workforce. As such, he also manifested that the government should pragmatically work on Bill No. 41 to see to it that the Bangsamoro workforce will receive their compensation on time.

BTA Bill No. 41 has been approved in the plenary on May 17, 2023 titled “BANGSAMORO REVOLVING FUND ACT OF 2023.”

Alhamdulillah and Congratulations to our Bangsamoro Transition Authority - BARMM Senior Minister MP Abdulraof "Sammy Gambar" A. Macacua for being appointed as Governor of the province of Maguindanao Del Norte.

Governor Macacua is sworn in by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. today, April 4, 2023 in Malacañan Palace, Manila.

Photos courtesy of Mayor Bruce Matabalao