Bangsamoro bill is for genuine autonomy, not separate state -- GPH, MILF assure Congress

MANILA As Congress began discussions on the Bangsamoro bill for its swift passage into law, the Government of the
Philippines (GPH), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) spoke in
unison that the future Bangsamoro will exercise genuine autonomy within the flexibilities of the Philippine Constitution.
They assured that the Bangsamoro will not be a separate state, but will remain part of the Philippines and under the
supervision of the President.
Supremacy of the Philippine Constitution is a fact found in the Bangsamoro bill. It states that the Bangsamoro is within
Philippine territory and it will be under the President's supervision as mandated in the Constitution, Presidential Adviser
on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles explained. She emphasized that autonomy (for the Bangsamoro) does
not mean dismemberment from the country, as the future region will still be part of the Philippines.
BTC and MILF Peace Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal, also cited in his opening statement that there are enough
flexibilities in the Constitution to allow the establishment of the Bangsamoro.
Deles and Iqbal, together with GPH Peace Panel Chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer were among the main resource
persons invited at the House of Representatives on Wednesday to present and discuss the proposed Bangsamoro
Basic Law to the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL, which is headed by Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus
Rodriguez. Members of the BTC and legal teams involved in the crafting of the draft BBL were also present as well as
civil society groups.
Deles, in her opening statement, underscored that it is their (GPH, MILF, and BTC) joint intent that throughout the entire
legislative process (for the passage of the Bangsamoro bill), they will continue to work and speak as one.
The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, filed as House Bill 4994 in the House of Representatives and Senate Bill 2804,
is the enabling law of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between GPH and MILF on
March 27 of this year. It aims to establish a Bangsamoro region, which will exercise genuine autonomy, that will replace
the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by 2016.
Lawmakers support, scrutiny of the bill
Meanwhile, a number of lawmakers affirmed support for the Bangsamoro bill as they sought clarifications with the BTC,
GPH, and MILF on some provisions of the priority measure.
North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco, Chair of the House Indigenous Peoples Committee, manifested her support for
the passage of the law, saying it is because she can see that IPs in the proposed Bangsamoro territory are supportive of
the bill which has explicit provisions on the respect of IPs rights.
Anak Mindanao Rep. Djalia Hataman, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee expressed hope and prayers that as a
legislator, she can help get this law passed. She shared that heated, passionate debates will ensue not just among
legislators, but the public in general, but prays that we do not come out of this divided. Let this be a true exercise of
democracy.
Deles in responding to clarifications to the Bangsamoro bill expressed her appreciation for the rigorous scrutiny of the
proposed organic act to ensure that it becomes the best autonomy law that will be passed. We welcome scrutiny. That
is a sort of engagement we expect, she said while relaying that the GPH, MILF, and BTC will pursue dialogue with
Congress to build understanding on the substance and spirit of the Bangsamoro bill.
Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano also relayed support to ensuring that the Bangsamoro bill will be constitutional and
acceptable to all stakeholders.

Appeal to Congress
Actor Robin Padilla, who attended the committee hearing, appealed, to Congress to take on their monumental role for
the successful passage of the Bangsamoro law which he believes is crucial for peace in the south.
Nag-aantay po ang lahat. Magiging historical po ito para po sa inyong mga mambabatas. Ito po ang iiwan ninyong
legacy sa Pilipinas na kayo po ang naging daan upang makamit talaga ang tuwid na daan. (Many are waiting. This
[passage of the Bangsamoro bill] will be a historical [role] for you lawmakers. This is your legacy to the Philippines; that
you became an instrument in achieving the straight path.), said Padilla.
Padilla said that the success of the Bangsamoro law, which is within the hands of Congress, will also benefit and bring
more peace and progress in other areas in the country.
BTC commissioners Timuay Melanio Ulama and Abdullah Camlian, during the committee hearing, also expressed their
appeal to Congress for the passage of the law. Ulama is confident that that the Bangsamoro law respects IP rights,
while Camlian, in an emotional speech, underscored the historical background and significance of resolving the
Bangsamoro aspiration for self-governance through genuine autonomy for the Bangsamoro region.
Coronel-Ferrer, on her part, said that ending the internal conflict in the south through the implementation of the
Bangsamoro peace agreement signed with the biggest rebel group in the country will provide a viable atmosphere to
uplift the lives of our people in parts of Mindanao which for decades have been mired in conflict and poverty.
Iqbal emphasized that the MILF trust the wisdom of both houses of Congress to pass a good legislation, referring to
the Bangsamoro bill.

Bangsamoro Basic Law to ensure autonomy within

Constitutional bounds -- Rodriguez
Posted on Friday, Sep 12th, 2014
MANILA, PHILIPPINES Cagayan de Oro 2nd district representative Rufus Rodriguez defended the constitutional
soundness of the recently submitted draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which aims to replace the Autonomous Region
in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with a new parliamentary form of government.
The provisions of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law are consistent within the framework of our Constitution, Rodriguez
said, adding that the Preamble itself states that it is "in consonance with the Constitution and the universally accepted
principles of human rights, liberty, justice, democracy, and the norms and standards of international law.
Credit where credit is due: The negotiating panels of the GPH and MILF exercised due care and diligence to make sure
that the Bangsamoro bill serves the best interests of the people--and the entire nation as a whole, he affirmed.
The draft measure, once enacted and ratified, will grant the Bangsamoro region enhanced autonomy with corresponding
powers that will best serve the needs and concerns of its people. Rodriguez noted that the bill builds upon provisions
that already allowed for the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The parliamentary Bangsamoro government will gain its due share of refined powers, but it will remain subject to the
authority of the central national government.
Anak Mindanao Representative Sitti Dajlia-Hataman supported her fellow Mindanao lawmakers assertion, saying that
the draft bill is clean from any questionable provisions, such as those that call for Constitutional amendments.
The solons further affirmed that the bill will be duly subjected to the legislative process--itself a guarantee that its final
enactment will be bound by the charter. Beyond its passage, the basic law will be ratified through the conduct of a
plebiscite.
For our part, we will thoroughly review the draft bill in Congress in accordance to all stipulations of our supreme law,
guaranteed Rodriguez.
We will make [the review of the BBL] a democratic process, said Hataman. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so
we must debate properly to adequately review the provisions.

Meanwhile, a member of the pool of independent lawyerswho observed the GPH-MILF negotiation panels during the
parties August draft deliberation meetings in Davao Citycommented that the submitted draft is the best measure to
date to ensure and operationalize autonomy in the region concerned.
By and large, it addresses the aspirations of the Bangsamoro and its people within the flexibilities of the Constitution,
Atty. Nasser Marohomsalic said. There could not be a better deal under our unitary system of government.
Learning experience
In light of the discussions on the matter of autonomy, Rodriguez recalled his experience of a relevant learning tour
organized by the Spanish Embassy in Manila earlier this year.
In April 2014, Rodriguez joined a delegation of eight other congressmen and two senators in a study visit in Madrid that
gave the legislators a first-hand view of Spains successful experience in creating 17 autonomous regions.
Our Spain study visit, albeit brief, exposed us to a lot of successful models and best practices of which will serve as
substantial reference to guide us in the deliberations of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Rodriguez said.
Likewise, Hataman noted that there are many crucial learning points that Congress can draw from the experience of the
ARMM.
The Bangsamoro Basic Law is a historic opportunity for indigenous women
Publication date:
Jul 2014
Froilyn Mendoza, Founder, TLWOI
When the government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro on October 15, 2012, many rejoiced. It seemed that peace to
the four-decade conflict between the Government and MILF had finally been reached.
But peace is not just the absence of war or conflict. For indigenous women like me, peace is about kefiyo
fdw (peaceful feeling). This can only be attained in the future Bangsamoro if all our basic needs such
as food, shelter, security and recognition are satisfied. We need to be given the fundamental right to our
identity and territory. It is our inherent birthright. It is non-negotiable.
I live in the Southern most part of the Philippines, in the hinterlands of South Upi. It is one of the poorest
municipalities in the province of Maguindanao and is at the heart of the conflict. It is a core territory of
the envisioned future Bangsamoro political entity.
I belong to the Tduray tribe, one of the 18 major tribal groupings of Non Islamized Indigenous Lumad
tribes in Mindanao. For the past 20 years Ive been a grassroots campaigner and organiser for indigenous
women. I am the founder of the Tduray Lambangian Womens Organization (TLWOI), a grassroots
organization of tribal women in my hometown.
Since 1970, more than 10,000 Tduray families have fled Maguindanao. This is partly due to armed
confrontations between the Ilaga (a Christian Militia) and the Moro (Muslim people in Mindanao). In
addition, in 1996 the MILF established a base in our area and declared it a Satellite Camp. In 2000 former
President Estrada declared war against MILF and overran our camp. We had to flee once again, and we
still do not have permanent places to live in.
Indigenous people in Philippines have historically been excluded from participating in governance and
the electoral process. However, there is an opportunity for this to change. The development of the Basic
Law of the new region of Bangsamoro has included a process of consultation with the population of
Mindanao. Indigenous women were able to get involved in these consultations, in part due to a
governance project by Conciliation Resources and the British Embassy, which included capacity building
activities that empowered us to participate.

Indigenous women have been actively engaging in the on-going peace negotiations between the GPHMILF, especially in the drafting of the new Basic Law. We have been sending organisational statements,
attending public hearings and presenting our position in consultations on the basic law. We have
submitted our proposed provisions for consideration in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
This is important as it helps to challenge the wider public perceptions of indigenous women as
housewives who are confined to household chores. Indigenous women play an important role in our
customary traditional governance. We are responsible for settling conflicts, officiating rituals and acting
as midwives when other indigenous women give birth.
However, despite our important traditional roles, cultures within the indigenous community continue to
harm and disadvantage women. It is not surprising to see young indigenous women forced to marry men
six times their age in arranged marriages. Rape is considered an ordinary case that is confined to the
expertise of the tribal leaders and settled amicably. Even worse, rape victims are sometimes forced to
marry the perpetrator because in our culture, rape is a form of marriage. Cases of incest rape are
common. With the prominence of alcoholism among indigenous peoples, physical and sexual abuse is
increasing. These cases are settled amicably as part of our customary law, and are not known publically.
The tribal structure is a biggest stumbling block to indigenous womens empowerment. This is why we
need to actively participate in the codification of our customary laws to ensure that the issues affecting
us are considered. This is a chance for indigenous women to interact with governance structures outside
of the tribe.
For instance, many indigenous women are victims of discrimination and violence. However, they cannot
talk about the issue openly because there is a tribal culture of mesala (penalizing) those who expose
sensitive issues, like rape. It is forbidden and taboo to talk about sex. As a result, women who are victims
of violence keep silence. Through the consultation, we were able to request that the Bangsamoro Basic
Law to have a provision on this. Without the input of indigenous women, this issue may have gone
unconsidered.
We indigenous women are praying that our proposed provisions will upheld when congress enact the final
Bangsamoro Basic Law. In particular we hope for a specific provision on the protection of the rights of
indigenous women. We know the struggle isnt over, we only hope that partners and supporters will
continue to walk with us in our journey. No war, no violence against women.

Nothing to fear from Bangsamoro Bill Iqbal

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 24th, 2014
MANILA -- "To the Filipino people: be not afraid (of the Bangsamoro)," Bangsamoro Transition chair Mohagher Iqbal
exhorted in his opening statement during the first hearing of the House Special Ad-Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro
Basic Law.
Iqbal issued the call in relation to those who would want to sow fear instead of hope in the hearts of the Filipino
people. These people, Iqbal said, will use words like dismemberment of the Republic, sell-out, violation of the
Constitution, surrender, state within a state, and even a ploy for eventual independence in referring to the proposed
Bangsamoro Basic Law which has recently been filed as House Bill 4994 in the House of Representatives.
The Bangsamoro Bill, once enacted into law and ratified by the people in the envisioned core territory, will establish the
new Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Iqbal further assured indigenous peoples (IPs) that they have nothing to fear from the Bangsamoro, saying that they will
protect the right to self-determination of the IPs in the same way the Moros fought for theirs. Iqbal also allayed the fears
of non-Muslims in the proposed Bangsamoro territory, saying the Islamic faith will not be imposed on them.
The BTC chair also clarified that residents in the proposed territory have the choice to be part of the Bangsamoro, and
they will not be forced should they decide otherwise.

Instead of dismemberment of the Republic, the Bangsamoro will further unite our peoples. There shall be no state
within a state. The Philippine state shall remain sovereign, Iqbal stressed. We only ask that we be allowed to govern
ourselves.
Iqbal said that there are enough flexibilities in the Constitution to allow the establishment of the Bangsamoro.
More than a bill
The BTC Chair also emphasized that the proposed Bangsamoro law is more than just a piece of legislation, saying
that it also signifies the beginning of better lives for the coming generations of the Bangsamoro, assured safety and the
unhampered pursuit of dreams for the Moros, and prosperity and development in the region.
The Ad Hoc Committee, headed by Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, has a total of 75 members.
About half of its members were present during the hearing. Meanwhile, aside from Iqbal, other resource persons
present include Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles, GPH chief negotiator Miriam
Coronel-Ferrer, members of the BTC and legal teams involved in the crafting of the draft BBL.
Deles, in her opening statement noted that "something unprecedented is happening these days... before, the MILF and
GPH have been on separate sides of the tables. Here, we decided... it is our intent throughout deliberations that we will
speak as one."
The Bangsamoro is the sum of our hopes and dreams, Iqbal said. We implore you then to step lightly on these
dreams when you discuss the draft law. Do not trample them. Celebrate them. Welcome them.
Rodriguez earlier noted that the committee has agreed to ensure timely passage of the Bangsamoro bill. In line with
this, the committee will hold open public hearings, starting September 24 until December 17 for five days a week.
Further hearings will be conducted in Zamboanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Marawi, among
others.
The 75-member Ad Hoc Committee is composed of leaders and members of the majority coalition, along with five
members of the minority group.

Bangsamoro: Let us be driven by hope instead of fear

OUR HOPES AND DREAMS
While the Bangsamoro may be just another piece of legislation, for us it is something more. The Bangsamoro is the
promise of a better life for ourselves, our children and our childrens children.
For a people that has constantly lived in fear and insecurity, of war, the Bangsamoro is the hope of life where our
children can live safely and happily to pursue their grandest dreams;
For a people that has known grinding poverty, the Bangsamoro is the hope of prosperity and abundance;
For a people that has been effectively governed by others not their own, the Bangsamoro is the hope that someday they
shall be captains of their fate and builders of their future;
The Bangsamoro is the sum of our hopes and dreams. It may mean nothing to you. But it is the whole world to us. It is
what we got. It is what we only have. We implore you then to step lightly on these dreams when you discuss the draft
law. Do not trample them. Celebrate them. Welcome them. This is my request and appeal to the Honorable men and
women of this House.
BE NOT AFRAID
Let me however warn you of people who would want to sow fear instead of hope in your hearts and in the hearts of the
Filipino people. Their aim is to stop the establishment of the Bangsamoro and for this, they will take advantage of the
deeply held biases and prejudices of the people. They will use words like dismemberment of the Republic, sell-out,
violation of the Constitution, surrender, state within a state, and even a ploy for eventual independence.
To all of these, we say: be not afraid.

To the Filipino people: be not afraid.

Instead of dismemberment of the Republic, the Bangsamoro will further unite our peoples. There shall be no state within
a state. The Philippine state shall remain sovereign. We only ask that we be allowed to govern ourselves. You shall see
the Philippine flag and hear the national anthem sung in our schools and offices. Be not afraid of the Constitution. There
are enough flexibilities in it to solve this problem. We only need to look for it.
To the indigenous peoples in the Bangsamoro: be not afraid.
Just as we fought for our right to self-determination so shall we protect yours. We are brothers and sisters. Our gain is
your gain. Learn from our experiences and build on them.
To the non-muslims in the Bangsamoro: be not afraid.
We shall not impose our beliefs on you. The Sharia will only apply to us muslims. We ask only that we respect our
respective faiths and ways of life. Pursuant to what God had said in the Holy Quran: There is no Compulsion in religion.
Unto to you, your religion, unto to me, my religion.
To the people outside of the Bangsamoro and their leaders: do not be afraid.
We only ask that the Bangsamoro people be asked directly, without fear or intimidation, whether or not they want to be
part of the Bangsamoro. That is all. We will never impose ourselves on communities that prefer to be not part of us.
In the coming days, Congress will be ask to render judgment on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. You will be
asked: hope or fear? It is my prayer choose hope over fear. Let us break free from this endless cycle of poverty,
insecurity, and malgovernance. Let us choose hope. Let us build the Bangsamoro.
Thank you.

Marcos plea to MILF: Shun war even if BBL is revised

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/697235/marcos-plea-to-milf-shun-war-even-ifbbl-is-revised#ixzz3lHewLlha
SENATOR Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. called on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on
Tuesday to make good its promise not to resort to force or violence in the event the original Bangsamoro
Basic Law is amended or revised by Congress.
Mr. President, I am a man of peace. I abhor violence. I am willing to listen to the MILF and all those who
have something relevant to say about the BBL, Marcos said in a privilege speech.
I will take pause and consider any or all suggestions on how best to travel the perilous road to peace. Let
us work on this important legislation together, no matter how seemingly difficult, tedious and drawn-out the
entire process is.
As a Filipino, I do not want any more blood to be spilled between our soldiers and the MILF. We are all
Filipinos. We should welcome the clash of ideas no matter how challenging they may be, in the spirit of
brotherhood. We should embrace our disagreements as a demonstration of our commitment to an equitable
and enduring peace; peace in Mindanao; peace in the land, added Marcos, who was leading the
BBL hearings in the Senate as chairman of the committee on government.
He said, I would rather that we and the MILF talk, talk, talk, in the hope of agreement, than resort to
violence and forever be in disagreement.

War is not an option; never is; never will be, the senator said.
He also appealed to the MILF and the national leaders to set aside emotion and rise above petty politics in
the interest of peace.
At the risk of repetition, I urge the MILF, not only its leadership but all its commanders, to renounce war
as an instrument of peace, said Marcos.
He then challenged the MILF to demonstrate its sincerity in achieving peace by helping the Department of
Justice in the speedy investigation of the Mamasapano massacre.
I challenge the MILF leadership to identify and bring the killers of our SAF 44 to justice. I challenge the
MILF to demonstrate that they are our partners for peace by bowing to the force of reason rather than the
reason of force, he said, referring to the January 25 Mamasapano incident that left 44 Special Action
Force (SAF) operatives and several MILF men dead.
Marcos rejected last week the proposed BBL in its present form and substance, saying it would lead us to
perdition. Instead, the senator proposed a substitute bill for the BBL draft. AC

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/697235/marcos-plea-to-milf-shun-war-even-ifbbl-is-revised#ixzz3lHf0ddUr

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