Bangsamoro law's constitutionality tackled in Senate hearing
MANILA, Philippines - The constitutionality of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was questioned during the Senate hearing on Monday.
Former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban stressed that the bottom line in all peace negotiations and agreements is strict adherence to the Constitution.
Panganiban suggested that the entire electorate be involved in the the decision by participating in a plebiscite to approve the BBL.
Moro National Liberation Front chair Datu Abul Khayr Alonto called for the immediate passage of the BBL, noting that there would be a need to amend the Constitution in doing so.
Alonto said that the Bangsamoro people have embraced democracy but it has failed to provide them with security and justice.
Following the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, Alonto said they have felt the "great divide of hatred and prejudice within the people."
The MNLF chair explained that the Mamasapano incident was not just a police matter or an issue of insurgency. Alonto said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front defended their community while the Philippine National Police Special Action Force acted on orders.
Alonto stressed that the Mamasapano incident must not stop the passage of the BBL.
"Those who call for war and the suspension of the peace process are people who are even in their nightmares would never know the horrors, cruelties of war that the people of Mindanao, Muslims and Christians alike, have been subjected to in all these decades," Alonto said.
Former Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna noted that there is no need for constitutional amendment to pass the BBL because it conforms with the Constitution.
On the other hand, former deputy House Speaker Pablo Garcia argued that there is no need for the Congress to enact the BBL since it is unconstitutional.
Garcia noted that the Constitution only recognizes two autonomous region which is the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and Cordillera Administrative Region.
Hearings on the proposed BBL were earlier suspended following the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao wherein 44 police commandos were killed.
Sen. Teofisto Guingona III proposed the creation of an independent fact-finding commission that would investigate the events leading to the Mamasapano clash.
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