Photos by Joel Dizon and Omar Tadeja for IAG

Article by Edwin O. Fernandez in NDBC News

COTABATO CITY  – Nothing in the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that is unconstitutional, speakers of a talkshop series here today said.

Lawyer Al Amin Julkipli, government peace panel legal counsel; Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga, MILF peace panel member; Prof. Edmund Tayao, LOGODEF executive director and political analyst and Lawyer Randolph Parcasio, ARMM consultant were one in saying that they do not see BBL violating the provisions of the Philippine Constitution.

It was the consensus among panel members who took turns in explaining the topic on “Political Autonomy and Bangsamoro Government” held at the Notre Dame University’s Tanghalang Michael Clark and heard live over Radio Stations DXMS and DXND.

“None,” Lawyer Julkipli said. “I think there is none,” Prof. Lingga said, shaking his head. Both Tayao and Parcasio agreed.

Early in the two-hour discussions, both representatives of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels believed the draft law will have a smooth sail in Congress.

“The greatest challenge now is acceptability,” Parcasio, who is serving as consultant of the ARMM which will be replaced by the new Bangsamoro government, said.

Speaking from the heart, Parcasio said: “The greatest challenge is acceptability of BBL by Filipino people.”

Tayao explained that once the draft becomes a law and ratified by its people, it does not mean all other laws in the country will no longer operate and effective. Responding to inquiry, Tayao cited as example the IPRA (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act)  law.

“The IPRA law still applies, as well as other laws,” he said.

Julkipli said a symmetrical relationship between central government and Bangsamoro government was not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

“But its characteristics are within the framework of the Philippine Constitution,” Julkipli said.

Lingga said the symmetrical relationship between Bangsamoro government and Manila government was included in the draft to recognize the Bangsamoro identity.

“The intent is to recognize the distinct identity of a particular group of people. Example Cordillera Autonomous Region and the ARMM,” Tayao added.

Clearly and effectively facilitated by Lawyer Benny Bacani, executive director of Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), the talkshop series provided the public with at least an overview of the draft BBL now set for discussion by Philippine Congress.

IAG distributed booklet type and handy draft BBL to participants for easy reference.  Copies of the draft bill can be accessed through the internet from OPAPP and MILF websites.

A joint project of IAG, NDU, Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation and Kondrad Adenauer Stiftung, the talkshop series primarily aimed at educating the public, engaging them in a healthy discussion and help bring about the much desired peace in Mindanao.

On October 1, the second part of the series will have the issue of "Fiscal Autonomy, Wealth-Sharing and Economy” as the topics.

It will also be aired live over NDBC radio stations.