ARTICLE VIII

WALI

Section 1. Appointment of Wali. – Consistent with a parliamentary form of government, there shall be a Wali who shall serve as the ceremonial head of the Bangsamoro Government.

The Parliament shall issue a resolution reflecting its consensus on the selection of the Wali from a list of names of eminent residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region submitted by the Council of Leaders.

Section 2. Qualification of the Wali. – The Wali shall possess the following qualifications at the time of his nomination:

(a) Natural-born citizen of the Philippines;

(b) Able to read and write in Filipino, English, or Arabic;

(c) At least forty (40) years of age;

(d) A resident of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for at least fifteen (15) years; and

(e) No prior conviction for any criminal or administrative offense by any court or quasi-judicial body.

Section 3. Ceremonial and Ministerial Duties of the Wali. – The Wali shall only perform ceremonial duties such as opening the session of the Parliament, administering the oath of office, dissolving the Parliament upon the advice of the Chief Minister after a vote of no confidence against the government of the day, calling for election of a new Parliament, and attending to public ceremonies.

Section 4. Oath and Term of Office of the Wali. – The first Wali, who shall hold office for three (3) years, shall be appointed by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority through a resolution reflecting its consensus. The Wali shall take his oath of office before a duly authorized officer. Each succeeding Wali shall hold office for a term of six (6) years.

Section 5. Per Diem of the Wali. – The Wali shall receive per diem, subject to existing rules and regulations on the grant of per diems.

The per diem shall be sourced from the funds of the Bangsamoro Government and shall be provided for in its annual appropriations law.

Section 6. Grounds for Removal of the Wali. – The Wali may be removed from office by the Parliament on any of the following grounds:

(a) Failure to dissolve the Parliament after a vote of no confidence;

(b) Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude;

(c) Failure to perform the functions of a Wali; and

(d) Such other grounds as the Parliament may provide.