MILF: “MILF still open to BBL improvements and enhancement but essential elements of real autonomous gov’t should be included”: Iqbal

Posted to the MILF Website (Sep 20): “MILF still open to BBL improvements and enhancement but essential elements of real autonomous gov’t should be included”: Iqbal



 

Mohagher Iqbal, Chief Negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said that the Moro front is still “open for improvements and enhancement” of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) but the “essential elements of a real autonomous government” should be included in the proposed law.

Both chambers of Congress made different versions of the Malacañan-MILF draft agreed version submitted to leaders of congress on September 10, last year.

The substitute bills, known as the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBARs), carry differences mainly on the exercise of autonomy in the proposed region. 

According to Iqbal, he respects the power of Congress to legislate but is worried the deleted provisions may affect the region.

“The autonomous government should have powers that would really allow that entity to stand on its feet,” he said during a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).

GPH Chief Peace Negotiator Professor Miriam Colonel-Ferrer lamented that the various amendments on the BBL were made “out of distrust and fear that the Bangsamoro will secede.”

She cited examples such as the word “territory” replaced with “area” to identify the geographic scope of the proposed region despite the use of “territorial jurisdiction” for local government units (LGUs) in the Local Government Code.

Ferrer also pointed out the iterations in the amended Senate bill which emphasize the Bangsamoro as “an inalienable part of the Philippines.”

While protecting the powers of LGUs is legitimate, she clarified that these should not hinder the establishment of a genuine autonomy for the region – pointing out that both local and regional autonomy are mandated by the 1987 Constitution.

Ferrer noted that allocation of powers should be balanced and objective.

"The autonomous region plays an integrative role over the LGUs,” Ferrer emphasized.

The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), however, continues to build trust and counter fear with peace process stakeholders.

“A personal approach is really helping building trust,” he said. “What is important is you need to open communication.”

“There is some improvement in this regard, especially in the Lower House” Iqbal added.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/new/item/575-milf-still-open-to-bbl-improvements-and-enhancement-but-essential-elements-of-real-autonomous-gov-t-should-be-included-iqbal