WON: BBL

From the enactment of RA 6374[1], which was further amended by RA 9054[2], in establishing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and now we are faced with a new draft that further expands their power and jurisdiction, which is known as 'Bangsamoro Basic Law'[3].

Looking back, these laws rooted from the injustice that our Muslim brothers have experienced since the Martial Law era, which brought Nur Misuari in forming the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) seeking independence and respect for their culture and Muslim faith.[4] After a number of clashes and conflicts between MNLF and the government, they have agreed in having a semi-autonomy region for Muslim community in Mindanao, now known as ARMM. However, another group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) doesn’t agree with the agreement, and still hopes for independence.[5] After several years of peace talks with MILF, the government through the congress, has passed a draft in favor the Muslim community, the 'Bangsamoro Basic Law'.

The purpose of the draft Basic Law is to establish the new Bangsamoro political entity and provide for its basic structure of government, in recognition of the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.[6] The Bangsamoro people, are those who at the time of conquest and colonization were considered natives or original inhabitants of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago and its adjacent islands including Palawan, and their spouses, and descendants.[7] In summary, the draft Basic Law, aims to create a new structure of government for the Bangsamoro people, which is still under the Philippine government, and subject to the limitations provided by the Constitution.[8] It (BBL) also doesn’t violate the 1987 Constitution, as pointed out by the framers of our 1987 Constitution themselves.[9]

Generally, it positively affect the Bangsamoro people in having their own structure, based on their beliefs and culture, especially, that the majority of the people in Mindanao are Muslims. It won’t greatly affect other communities outside of the Bangsamoro territory, as they are still governed under the government, but with their own special laws, similar to local ordinances in local governments.

The draft Basic Law is a big step towards in making up for the injustice that the previous administration has inflicted upon our Muslim brothers. Giving our Filipino brothers in the south the respect, and the opportunity for peace and development, for the future of, not only the Bangsamoro people, but the Filipino people.

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[1] Republic Act No. 6374, August 1, 1989

[2] Republic Act No. 9054, March 31, 2001

[3] Bangsamoro Basic Law, September 10, 2014

[4] Mamasapano, the President, and the Bangsamoro Basic Law, accessed in http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/82394-mamasapano-president-bangsamoro-basic-law

[5] Moro Islamic Liberation Front, accessed in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_Islamic_Liberation_Front

[6] Q and A: the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, September 10, 2014, accessed in http://www.gov.ph/2014/09/10/q-and-a-the-draft-bangsamoro-basic-law/

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] 1987 Charter framers: BBL constitutional, January 14, 2015, accessed in http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2015/01/14/1987-charter-framers-bbl-constitutional-386747