Sharia Law sought as guide for proposed Bangsamoro state

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., a member of the Consultative Committee (ConCom) on Charter change, proposed yesterday to the committee on Bangsamoro that the Sharia Law be used as the guiding principle in the proposed Bangsamoro federal state in Mindanao. 

Pimentel said that Islam’s Sharia Law should be the operating principle in the Bangsamoro territory, but with amendments to some of its provisions. 

“Ang operating principle should be Sharia Law kasi yung ang paniniwala nila (because their belief is) – that it is the religious, political and social operating principle of the lives of Muslims. Iba kasi sa atin eh, at yan ang gusto nila na ma-respeto (Ours is different, that’s what they want to be respected),” Pimentel said. 

But he said that the punishments such as the stoning to death of  women, who got impregnated not by their husbands, and cutting off the hands of thieves should be removed as they are not acceptable in the Philippine setting.

“We cannot allow that because that is cruel and unusual punishments,” he said. 

Pimentel believes that the Moro people are entitled to a federal state of their own where their own culture and traditions are fully respected.

He said the Bangsamoro committee will still have to discuss his proposals.

Meanwhile, he appealed to the Christians to understand their differences with their Muslim brethren if they want the Mindanao conflict to end. 

Members of the Bangsamoro committee created by President Duterte met yesterday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) to thresh out ways to ensure the success of a Bangsamoro federal state.

Pimentel said that they have discussed the coverage of the Bangsamoro region and other details including the ongoing negotiations in Mindanao, among other issues. 

The Department of Finance (DOF) has cited concerns over a provision under the proposed BBL, which seeks to give the region the authority to issue securities and debt papers.

At a recent House hearing on the BBL, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said allowing the Bangsamoro region to float bonds and conduct other revenue-generating measures would require fiscal discipline on the part of the proposed autonomous government.

“We are afraid this would not succeed unless the autonomous region first achieves fiscal discipline and demonstrates it. Fiscal autonomy is earned,” Dominguez told lawmakers.

In addition, the finance chief said the regional entity might not be able to borrow money at cheaper rates than the national government, which he said has improved its credit rating by exercising fiscal discipline.

According to the secretary, it would take time for the Bangsamoro region to build the capacity, demonstrate fiscal discipline, and prove credibility in governance, which would, in turn, enable it to win a suitable credit rating.

At an earlier Senate hearing, Dominguez emphasized that the success of the proposed Bangsamoro region would depend on the public’s acceptance of the law.

Meanwhile, employees of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will keep their jobs once the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is enacted, a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission said yesterday.

Commissioner Maisara Dandamun-Latiph of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) said the ARMM government offices would not be automatically dissolved during the transition period that would cover at least four years. 

“There will be no abrupt disruption in services. The employees will continue to hold positions and deliver public services,” Damdamun-Latiph said.

Under Section 10, Article 16 of the Malacañang-endorsed BTC version of BBL, “officials holding appointive positions shall continue to perform their functions in accordance with schedule” under the plan to be crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Mary Grace Padin