MILF: MILF will only accept political autonomy that is better than ARMM

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (Aug 5): MILF will only accept political autonomy that is better than ARMM



“The position of MILF is very clear, first, MILF will never accept an autonomy that is lower than the ARMM, second, the MILF will not accept an autonomy that is equal to the ARMM. The MILF only accepts an autonomy law that is better than the ARMM,” stressed Mohagher Iqbal, Chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Implementing Panel (PIP) in a gathering of more than 60 Civil Society Organizations’ leaders at Pagana Native restaurant, Cotabato City on July 30.

The activity was made possible through the support of The Asia Foundation (TAF).

This is so far the toughest position of MILF leadership over the proposed Bangsamoro law.

The was the message of Chairman Iqbal to the participants who came from all-over Mindanao and attended the Orientation on Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and updates on the Government -MILF peace process conducted by Federation of Bangsamoro Civil Society Organizations and Women’s Organization Movement of the Bangsamoro (FBCSCO-WOMB).

Iqbal said that if he is in the position to suggest, the BBL should be passed as it is and let the Supreme Court decide on those unconstitutional infirmities. “Yung BBL ngayon kung ako lang ang masusunod ang maganda dyan ipasa na nila ng walang bawas at walang dagdag. Hayaan nalang natin ang Supreme Court maghusga kung alin dyan ang unconstitutional, diba?” Iqbal asked the participants.

“And then kung maghusga ang Supreme Court ipunin nalang natin yun dahil meron pang function ang BTC mag-propose to amend the constitution” (If and when the Supreme Court makes a ruling, then we will collect all those (unconstitutional provisions in the BBL) because the BTC has the function to propose an amendments in the constitution), he said.

Iqbal also emphasized that ARMM was offered three times to MILF but they rejected it.

About his projection on the BBL movement in the House of Representatives, the MILF PIP Chair says that the Congress may opt for two stages; one is to pass all the constitutional provisions and the other thing is for Congress to amend the constitution to accommodate unconstitutional substances on the proposed Moro law, and then later it will incorporate to the working of committee which will draft the federal system of the country.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/950/milf-will-only-accept-political-autonomy-that-is-better-than-armm