Bangsamoro Law: People in Mindanao can dream again.

 The Bangsamoro Basic Law is constitutional. Article 14, Section 17 of the Constitution gives the indigenous cultural communities to develop their own culture, traditions and institutions. It is clear that the BBL has the right to develop or make its own institution. Moreover, with regard to the provision that the BBL will have its own justice system, Article 1, Section 10 of the BBL states that the justice system in the Bangsamoro shall give primary consideration to Shari’ah and customary rights and traditions of the indigenous peoples in the Bangsamoro. It is therefore clear that these provisions are in harmony with the Constitution.   

Furthermore, according to former justice Azcuna, one of the provisions BBL provide for the recognition of a “distinct (Bangsamoro) nation within the Philippine state” and this is “not unconstitutional. Still, with the passage of BBL, the Bangsamoro nation will still be part of the Philippines. It will not create a new or distinct territory in our country. Besides, there is no dismemberment of a country involved nor included in the said provision.

The passage of the BBL is one of the best ways to resolve the problem in Mindanao. With BBL, people in conflict areas can dream again. BBL means peace for the people living in Mindanao. What is good for the people in Mindanao is also good for the Filipino people. Therefore, the BBL is Constitutional.