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Vol. II No. 30 A publication of the Committee Affairs Department September 24, 2014

COMMITTEE MEETINGS MEASURES COMMITTEE PRINCIPAL SUBJECT MATTER ACTION TAKEN/DISCUSSION NO. AUTHOR HB 4994 Speaker Providing for the basic law for the The Committee, chaired by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez Basic Law Belmonte Bangsamoro and abolishing the (2nd District, de Oro City), will deliberate (Ad Hoc Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao further on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law Committee) (ARMM), repealing for the purpose (BBL) in its next meeting. Republic Act 9054, or the law strengthening and expanding the Organic Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles, Presidential Act for the ARMM, and RA 6734, or the Adviser on the Peace Process, in her opening law providing for an Organic Act for the statement, mentioned that it took the peace ARMM process 17 difficult years before reaching an agreement. She said that it is now a momentous occasion for the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to face the new arena of turning this agreement into a law, which is not only for the benefit of Mindanao but it is for peace and development in the entire country.

Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and MILF Peace Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal referred to the proposed law as the sum of all the hopes and dreams of the Bangsamoro people. He stressed that for others who fear that the establishment of the Bangsamoro will lead to the “dismemberment of the Republic” and is a “ploy for eventual independence,” among others, he assured them that the Philippine State shall remain sovereign, and the beliefs of the Moros will not be imposed upon the non-Muslims. He only asked that the Bangsamoro people be allowed to govern themselves; and that mutual respect be given both in faith and way of life.

Sha Elijah Alba, BTC legal consultant, presented the salient features of the proposed BBL. She said the passage of the BBL will end the long- standing suffering of the Bangsamoro people as it will foster unity and harmony among peoples, bring economic development, and serve as a shield against rising radicalism.

On the welfare of the employees of the ARMM Regional Government who face possible displacement if it will be abolished as proposed in the bill, Deles assured Rep. Tupay Loong (1st District, ) that all employees who may be affected will be given the appropriate compensation.

On the authority of the national government over the Bangsamoro, Deles explained that the new BBL does not in any way diminish the Constitutional powers of the executive, legislative and judiciary over the new Bangsamoro political entity. The Bangsamoro will not be in equal power Continuation… with the national government but is on a different Bangsamoro and distinct level compared to local government Basic Law units, she added. (Ad Hoc Committee) Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, head of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Peace Panel, discussed the jurisdiction of the Shari’ah law and courts. She explained that the existence of Shari’ah courts will not curtail the power of the justice system and the Supreme Court.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon sought clarification on the need to replace and not just amend the current ARMM organic law.

Deles pointed out that the difference between the proposed BBL and the organic law on the ARMM primarily lies in the process of crafting the law. She said the BBL is a result of comprehensive talks, cooperation and mutual understanding between the MILF, which represents the Bangsamoro people, and the GPH.

Lawyer Mary Ann Arnado of the Mindanao Civil Society Organizations Platform for Peace further explained that compared to the ARMM, which is not a fully functioning autonomy, the proposed BBL allows the new entity to exercise political and fiscal autonomy where fiscal resources are readily available. The draft law also recognizes the identity of the Bangsamoro people and IPs in Mindanao.

The Committee Members also sought clarification on concerns pertaining to: the territory and political subdivision of the Bangsamoro; the structure of the Bangsamoro government; the effect of the BBL on existing laws declaring certain areas as reserve natural resources; the decommissioning of armed MILF members; power sharing; the inclusion of contiguous areas as part of the core territory of the Bangsamoro through a plebiscite; and the ambiguous requirement of votes during plebiscites.

Rep. Nancy Catamco (2nd District, North ), who chairs the Committee on National Cultural Communities, expressed the hope that the provisions in the bill recognizing and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples (IPs) will be duly implemented.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) was requested to furnish the Committee with a copy of the original draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law that the BTC submitted to the President.

Comments, suggestions and requests for copies may be sent to the Editorial Unit, Committee Administrative Support Service, 3rd Floor, Ramon V. Mitra, Jr. Bldg., Batasan Complex, Constitution Hills, City. Tel. Nos. 9326118; 9315001 local 7122. Also available at http://www.congress.gov.ph 2