Solons affirm constitutionality of CAB; assure swift passage of proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

From the Philippine News Agency (May 9): Solons affirm constitutionality of CAB; assure swift passage of proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

Lawmakers have affirmed the constitutionality of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) -- the historic peace deal signed last March 27 by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) -- which is the basis for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

"I have read the FAB (Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro), the four annexes, Addendum on the Bangsamoro Waters, and the CAB. I have not seen any provision that will violate any constitutional provision," said Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

Rodriguez also reiterated that the CAB only provides for enhanced autonomy, negating claims that it creates a sub-state.

"We are not creating a sub-state or a state here; this is enhanced autonomy. It’s just improving what was provided before and what is provided by the Constitution," he noted.

"The Constitution says 'autonomy.' How can you create a state when it is 'autonomy' that's stated under Section 15 to Section 21 of Article 11 (of the Constitution)," he added.

Magdalo Party-list Rep. Francisco Ashley "Ace" Acedillo shared the same view on the term "Bangsamoro" which, according to him, signifies respect for the Moro heritage.

"I believe that the accession of the government in terms of wording is to honor the heritage of this component of our society, which is our Muslim brothers and sisters. Iyan ay pagbibigay-pugay po sa kanilang heritage. (It is to give tribute to their heritage)," he said.

"They (Muslims) are merely given an autonomous government. Klaro naman po na may exclusive powers on the part of the central government at meron naman pong powers na ibinibigay sa Bangsamoro. Pero at no point in time will they be given an outright state (It is clear [in the agreement] that exclusive powers will be retained by the central government and there will be powers granted the Bangsamoro. But at no point in time will they be given an outright state)," he stressed.

Rodriguez supported the Magdalo Party-list solon's position, underscoring that choosing a name is part of their right and that it is a non-issue in as far as the definition of autonomy is concerned.

"They call themselves Bangsamoro, who are we to decide what their name should be? What is important is not the name but what the (Bangsamoro) Basic Law will provide. We (Congress) will make sure that the (Bangsamoro) Basic Law will provide for an enhanced autonomy as provided for in Article 11 on Local Autonomy," he said.

Rodriguez also gave assurance on the timely passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law given many other important bills that need to be deliberated at the Lower Chamber.

"We are definitely sure that this will be finished and the Bangsamoro government will be installed in 2016. We hope that the (Bangsamoro) Basic Law will be approved by both Houses (of Congress) and that there will be a referendum by this year," he said.

"We are very confident about that because the people in Mindanao cannot wait. They want to have peace in Mindanao for sustainable development. That will be done," he added.

The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, once finalized, will be certified as urgent by President Benigno S. Aquino III, submitted to Congress for passage, and subjected to a plebiscite in the envisioned core territory.

Once ratified, the law will create the Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=642152