What Is the Bangsamoro Basic Law All about

As an organic law, the Basic Law abolished the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and provided for the basic structure of government for Bangsamoro, after the agreements were set out in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro Peace Agreement signed in 2014 between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. [3] Details have yet to be worked out. For example, the exact regions that will make up the autonomous region will be decided by referendum before the end of the year, although it is likely to extend beyond the current DMARD boundaries of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. This will exacerbate a key issue in negotiations over the political entity that will control strategic areas such as the Sulu Sea and the Gulf of Moro. Second, because of the perceived Christian discrimination against Muslims in the Philippines, many Filipinos, most of whom are Christians, are automatically opposed to the BBL. Progressive church leaders such as Archbishop Orlando Beltran Quevedo de Cotabato have corrected stereotypes and prejudices by talking about correcting social injustice against Muslims in the Philippines and interreligious dialogue. Quevedo stressed that “the main cause of the uprising in the South is injustice.” Formulating the bill in religious terms will not help, as the problems are profoundly historical, economic and political, and have marginalized Muslims and non-Christian indigenous peoples. In his third State of the Union Address (SONA), Duterte focused on the Bangsamoro issue. He stressed his “solemn commitment” to ensure that his government “never deprives our Muslim brothers and sisters of the basic legal instruments to determine their own destiny within the constitutional framework of our country.” The various parts of the BBL proposed by the Bangsamoro Transitional Commission, which had been tasked with drafting the law, include sections that (but are not limited to) the identity of Bangsamoro, the territory of Bangsamoro, the government of Bangsamoro, the judicial system of Bangsamoro, the fundamental rights of Bangsamoro, the economic, financial and fiscal framework of Bangsamoro, as well as provisions on the transition to proposed autonomy. Bangsamoro region. [8] Above the horizon lie the dark clouds of tribal ethnic divisions, poor basic infrastructure and a general climate of insecurity. However, for many people and experts, this is the best chance for the Philippines to heal the wounds of a religious division that has plagued the fertile and beautiful island of Mindanao for centuries. Polls also show that the general Filipino public is largely “neutral,” with almost the same number of people expressing support and opposition to the creation of a larger Muslim-majority unit.

Many People in Mindanao are skeptical or puzzled by the impact. “When you talk about the BBL, it`s the intercession of every Muslim. In recent years, since martial law, Muslims have demanded self-determination,” Cayamodin said. The clash in Mamasapano showed how the government talks about peace in the MILF, but does not fully trust it as a partner in Mindanao. Partly because of unethical media coverage, the dominant post-Mamasapano public discourse betrays a lack of interest among politicians and the public in a lasting solution to the conflict in Mindanao and reflects the Islamophobia often present in global counterterrorism campaigns. Perhaps a glimmer of hope on the horizon of the crossfire in Mamasapano could be a renewed public interest in the BBL and its content. Senator Grace Poe, another presidential candidate, said peace talks should be “transparent, inclusive and sustainable.” Poe added that all groups in Mindanao must be included in any peace agreement. Poe also emphasized the crucial relationship between peace and development: “In the discussion of peace, development is included,” Poe said. To achieve peace in Mindanao: “We also need to invest more in Mindanao`s growth,” Poe argued.

Fifth, senior leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) oppose the Bangsamoro Basic Law bill. The MNLF is one of the two main Muslim-led rebel groups in Mindanao; However, only the MILF is involved in the BBL talks, with the MNLF being marginalized. The chairman of the MNLF`s Islamic Command Council (ICC), Habib Mujahab Hashim, said that “the BBL is the product of a conspiracy” between the Philippine government and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front). He said he was violating the 1996 Final Peace Agreement and the 1996 Tripoli Agreement, which guaranteed the autonomy of a Muslim Mindanao. The MILF and the MNLF both occupy the same area. So now there is a government conflict and a territorial conflict. For much of his two years in power, Duterte himself avoided the BBL issue, partly concerned about the lack of political support. In May, however, he finally confirmed the proposed bill as urgent and mobilized his allies in both houses of Congress to approve it. Cynics could read Duterte`s enthusiasm for BBL as part of his broader crusade for the introduction of federalism. A move towards federalism is deeply unpopular, as Pulse Asia polls in June show that 67% of voters are against change.

Duterte got rid of concerns about amendments to the 1987 Constitution, including the introduction of federalism, and used his State of the Union address to make his favorite argument – federalism will close the gaps of inequality. Third, many residents who are directly affected by BBL do not know enough about it. An intensive education and information campaign is needed so that they are informed and aware of how they will affect them. House majority leader Rodolfo Fariñas said they had even changed the wording of the law from a “fundamental law” to an “organic law” to comply with the constitution. Other details also need to be addressed, from concerns about formulation to issues such as energy distribution. And the history of this issue suggests that one must be cautious when rejecting the possibility that seemingly minor problems or unforeseen circumstances may stand in the way of progress. Voters, especially outside Mindanao, also appear to have mixed feelings about the bill, with SWS polls conducted in June showing that 40 percent of voters are undecided about the bill. Here is a guide to help you understand what the Organic Law of Bangsamoro is and what the Moro aspire to. Jamel Cayamodin, a professor of Islamic law and politics at the University of the Philippines, said the Bangsamoro Act is meant to address the grievances, feelings and demands of Muslims in the region.

In the BARMM, residents will elect an 80-member parliament representing various parties, districts and sectors, including indigenous peoples. The deputies then elect among themselves a Prime Minister and two Deputy Prime Ministers. The Prime Minister also appoints members of his cabinet. Duterte will also appoint an interim prime minister from among the members of the BTA, who will then organize an interim cabinet. State personnel in the fields of education, health and social affairs will be maintained during this period. He added that the MILF will work with the MNLF to achieve a unified government in the region. CNN Philippines correspondent David Santos and digital producers Amanda Lingao and Alyssa Rola contributed to the report. Article II of Section 1 of the Organic Law states that the Bangsamoro are “those who, at the beginning of Spanish colonization, were considered indigenous or native to Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and its adjacent islands, whether mixed or thoroughbred”, including their spouses and descendants. However, the legislator and BTC have conducted several consultations with different communities for the OLBARMM.

Finally, some Moro warlords and political dynasties may prefer to fight for it under the established rule of distant “Imperial Manila” rather than under a more uncertain reign among its close rivals in Mindanao. Last year, when a violent uprising erupted in the city of Marawi, Duterte increased pressure on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the MNLF, saying abolition between the two groups would only further delay legislation. In November, he met with Nur Misuari de la, and a bill was awaiting the house. In a symbolic gesture earlier this year, the Senate held a public consultation on the bill in the city of Marawi in January. The bill was presented to congressional leaders by President Benigno Aquino III on September 10, 2014. [10] An ad hoc committee tasked with the bill by the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill, House Bill 5811, on May 20, 2015. [11] [12] In the meantime, the BARMM will receive an automatic allocation of the annual global subsidy, which is equivalent to five per cent of the national net revenues of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs. drive.google.com/file/d/1pwKEMT-x4_JbQuste-KPT9nW13m3u7uI/view After several rounds of talks spanning nearly a decade, the government and the MILF signed the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement (FAB) in 2012. Habib Mujahab Hashim says that at the moment there is no way for the MNLF and milf to resolve their differences regarding the BBL: “If two previous agreements are automatically abolished with the adoption of the BBL, then the MNLF will have no choice but to exercise our last option of independence for the Bangsamoro Republic,” he said. Before his election as the most powerful man in the Philippines, Duterte described himself as a unifying force, the first president of the Moro people and a tireless defender of Mindanao`s interests.

.