Transition Commission to explore possibility of amending Constitution: MILF

From the Philippine Star (Jan 17): Transition Commission to explore possibility of amending Constitution: MILF

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have agreed to empower the Transition Commission to discuss whether there is a necessity to amend the Constitution, a senior MILF official said today. "One of the powers of the Transition Commission is to propose amendments to the Constitution if it is necessary. Meaning, we will reach a point whether it is necessary or not," Mohagher Iqbal, chief negotiator of the former Muslim rebel group MILF, said during a forum with the foreign press.

Mr. Iqbal said MILF considered that constitutional change is needed in order to implement the peace agreement with the government, "But the position of the government is that it is not necessary," he added.  Under the peace framework agreement, which the Philippine government and the MILF inked in October last year, the 15-man Transition Commission will draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law for the future Bangsamoro state in Mindanao.

According to their agreement, eight members of the Transition Commission will be nominated by the MILF, while the rest will be designated by the government.

http://www.philstar.com/breaking-news/2013/01/17/898364/transition-commission-explore-possibility-amending-constitution-milf