Professors Note Stumbling Blocks To Framework Agreement

From the Manila Bulletin (Oct 18): Professors Note Stumbling Blocks To Framework Agreement

University of the Philippines professors yesterday said the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front face a number of stumbling blocks including constitutional issues. Speaking to the media during the Usaping Balita News Forum, lawyer Harry Roque, professor of the UP College of Law, said there is no way the creation of Bangsamoro will not require amendments to the Constitution. Together with Fidel Fababier, another UP professor, Roque underlined the many constitutional and legal issues that could provide the stumbling blocks for the realization of the peace pact. Roque said that under the Constitution, it is the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera Autonomous Region, not the Bangsamoro region, that has been granted autonomy. He reminded signatories of the Framework Agreement that the relationship between the central government and Bangsamoro cannot be “asymmetric” because Philippines is “a unitary state not a federal government,” thus the relationship is “hierarchal.” Roque said possible legal confrontations may erupt on issues judicial powers, territorial expansion, Islamic accounting and women rights....

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/377738/professors-note-stumbling-blocks-to-framework-agreement