From the MILF Website (Apr 11): BTC welcomes Miriam’s comments on CAB
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After the pronouncements of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago on the alleged unconstitutionality of the recently signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chairman Mohagher Iqbal said on Tuesday over a local radio here in Cotabato City that he viewed in a “positive manner” the remarks of the lady solon.
After the pronouncements of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago on the alleged unconstitutionality of the recently signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chairman Mohagher Iqbal said on Tuesday over a local radio here in Cotabato City that he viewed in a “positive manner” the remarks of the lady solon.
Iqbal, also the MILF peace panel chair, said that the comments of Sen. Santiago have prodded them in the BTC to scrutinize closely what should be properly done with the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). He added that he didn’t take it against the senator and that he considered it good the BTC is now in a “situation” in which they are now keen on looking at the other mandate of BTC, which is to propose constitutional amendments.
He stated that he “respects the intelligence of Santiago, but it’s the Supreme Court that will finally rule on the constitutionality of a law and we haven’t reached that point yet.”
The CAB is a political agreement which must necessarily be translated into the language of the law, which is what the BBL should be.
Under Executive Order 120 establishing the BTC, the latter is also tasked to recommend to Congress or the people proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution, whenever necessary.
On the submission of the BBL to the Office of the President, Iqbal mentioned that all BTC commissioners are here in Cotabato City to finish the draft law.
The BTC has earlier set March 31 as date of submission of the BBL. Barring unforeseen events, recent developments in the 15-man commission indicate that the draft Basic Law could now be officially transmitted to the Office of the President in the coming days.
Asked whether the BBL takes into account the 1996 GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement, Iqbal said that practically all the 42 consensus points reached by the Tripartite Review Talks are already incorporated in the basic law.
The Commission has even invited a high-ranking MNLF official whose identity he did not disclose. In the said talk, it became clear that the 42 consensus points are now part of the BBL.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/916-btc-welcomes-miriam’s-comments-on-cab
He stated that he “respects the intelligence of Santiago, but it’s the Supreme Court that will finally rule on the constitutionality of a law and we haven’t reached that point yet.”
The CAB is a political agreement which must necessarily be translated into the language of the law, which is what the BBL should be.
Under Executive Order 120 establishing the BTC, the latter is also tasked to recommend to Congress or the people proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution, whenever necessary.
On the submission of the BBL to the Office of the President, Iqbal mentioned that all BTC commissioners are here in Cotabato City to finish the draft law.
The BTC has earlier set March 31 as date of submission of the BBL. Barring unforeseen events, recent developments in the 15-man commission indicate that the draft Basic Law could now be officially transmitted to the Office of the President in the coming days.
Asked whether the BBL takes into account the 1996 GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement, Iqbal said that practically all the 42 consensus points reached by the Tripartite Review Talks are already incorporated in the basic law.
The Commission has even invited a high-ranking MNLF official whose identity he did not disclose. In the said talk, it became clear that the 42 consensus points are now part of the BBL.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/916-btc-welcomes-miriam’s-comments-on-cab