MILF: DEPADev orients UBJP SouthMin on federalism, parliamentary system

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Jul 30): DEPADev orients UBJP SouthMin on federalism, parliamentary system



In line with its mission to empower civil society to actively participate in the political decision processes in the envisioned Bangsamoro autonomous entity, the Democratic Party Development (DEPADev)- Bangsamoro Project oriented the officers of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) from Southern Mindanao about federalism and parliamentary system of government.

Through lectures by experts during the Training on Political Party Development Training held at Microtel Inn in General Santos City on July 27-29, DEPADev project implementers, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), educated the participants about federalism which is being pushed by Duterte Administration.

Dr. Patrick Ziegenhein from Asia-Europe Institute University of Malaya in Malaysia discussed the topics Federalism, Best Practices and Success Stories and The Role of Civil Society and Political Parties on Federal System.

He also tackled Political Parties: Definition, Criteria, Rationale and Role under a Parliamentary System of Government.

The resource person conveyed the differences between parliamentary and presidential, the current system of government in the Philippines.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal tackled Bangsamoro Right to Self-Determination in the Context of Federalism.

“Federalism is acceptable to the MILF provided that the Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed first and become the template for federalism in the country,” he underscored.

Professor Abhoud Syed Lingga, MILF Peace Panel Member, discussed Islam and Politics and Crafting the Party’s Political Platform.

President Rodrigo Duterte is bent to push for charter change to shift the current presidential system of government into federalism.

He believes that federalism which will eventually provide the Bangsamoro people of their own federal state is a solution to the Bangsamoro’s quest for self-determination.

Since January 2016, DEPADev has been providing capability-building seminars and training to members of the civil society both from religious and non-religious groups inside the future Bangsamoro entity. The project is funded by European Union.

UBJP is a principled political party created in 2013 which will give the Bangsamoro people an avenue to join in the democratic process of the country once the BBL is passed.

Passing the BBL by the Philippine Congress is the sole obligation of the government. The Aquino Administration failed to pass the proposed legislation.



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