Bangsamoro law challenge in SC seen

 

 

 

Marcos chairs the Senate committee on local government which will hear the proposed Bangsamoro basic law (BBL).

 

The BBL is being drafted by a transition commission. Government is hoping to submit it to Congress next month for passage before the year ends.

 

The BBL will create a Bangsamoro political entity by 2016. The entity will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The passage of the BBL means the start of preparations for a plebiscite which will be held the first quarter of 2015 in the provinces and cities that will be covered by the new Bangsamoro political entity.

 

Marcos said he wants to see a permanent peace being enjoyed by all in Mindanao.

 

“I am for peace in Mindanao. Everybody is for peace; nobody is against peace at suportado naman lahat na magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa mga magulong area sa Mindanao,” he said.

 

Marcos’ panel is expected to schedule a hearing immediately after the draft bill is submitted to Congress.

 

Earlier, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro which was signed last month with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is unconstitutional because it violates the principle of constitutional supremacy, and because the Constitution allows an autonomous region and not a sub-state that will exercise sovereign powers reserved only for the central government.