The Government of the Philippines is in negotiation with the MILF on the framework of a Bangsamoro. The proposed creation of the Bangsamoro is in response to the Muslim’s clamor for equality… thus, their talks are mainly centered in the concept of power-sharing: what kind of power the Central Government has over the Bangsamoro, what power are common to both and, what is the exclusive power allocated to the Bangsamoro. Bangsamoro, if it continues to take the current shape, will be made up of: Basilan (except Isabela City), Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and, Tawi-Tawi…a total population of about a little over 3 million people (2010 census). My objection to this deal is that I believe it is unconstitutional: 1. It gives a small group of people something which the larger group will not have: equality or self-determination; 2. The arrangement creates a quasi-state. Bangsamoro will be likened to a Federal State: autonomous but, supervised. All laws passed by the Bangsamoro will be scrutinized and approved before it becomes effective. On the other hand, it opens up opportunities for other groups to seek “equality” in status. Experimentation or not, limited in reach or not, the Government has just acknowledge its willingness to change. And, since change seems to be inevitable, let us then ask for equality of all regions. Let us make it so no one region (in the Philippines) is less than the other. Allow the current 17 regions to be like federated states. Allow them to have their own government, elect their own (resident of the state/region) representatives to congress. Let each region have 2 senators, that way each is equally represented in the government. If you like this idea, give it a “like” and, ask your family, friends and neighbors to spread the idea around. We need to start gathering signatures. We need to make it happen now, otherwise, it will remain an idea that has been floated since I was a young lad in Zamboanga.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 17:26:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015