#8 Loresco, Janry

#9 Martinez. Xavier
#28 Plarisan. Keeshia
8:30-9:30 MWF
Bangsamoro Organic Law

1.) Is it a Social Problem?

Yes, the Bangsamoro Organic Law is a social issue. The Law was created in the hopes to answer the
long-time conflict in Muslim Mindanao. A battle for sovereignty of the Moros in Mindanao from the
Philippine government. The conflict covers a struggle for sovereignty and the possibility of
institutionalizing their beliefs and culture as part of their government. It affects the society and the
people as changing the system of government changes how people will be able to live. It is viewed as a
battle for sovereignty, territory and at times of religion.

2.) Facts

The term Bangsamoro was derived from the Malay word “nation” or “bansa” which means “nation
of the Moro”.

16th Congress: Following the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro after talks
between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2012, the Bangsamoro
Transition Commission (BTC) was instituted by President Benigno Aquino to create a draft for a
Bangsamoro Basic Law. In March 2014, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was signed
which would serve as basis for the BBL. In August, the BTC's second draft was handed over to President
Aquino.

17th Congress: The Congress began reading BBL for the first time in the House of Representatives (as
House Bill No. 6475) and the Senate (as Senate Bill No. 1717) on October 3, 2017 and February 28, 2018
respectively. BBL passed the second and third readings in both the House and the Senate on May 30 and
31, 2018. President Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law on July 26, 2018, after asking for 48
hours during his SONA to review the bill. The passing of BBL will set a precedent for federalism as
pushed by the administration.

FACTS: The Bangsamoro Organic Law (Republic Act No. 11054), also known as Bangsamoro Basic Law is
a Philippine law providing for the establishment of an autonomous political entity known as the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), creating the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, home to minority Muslims fighting for self-determination in
the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines.

The BOL, now called the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(OLBARMM), is made to establish a new autonomous political entity in the Bangsamoro Autonomous
Region (BAR). It aims to bring peace by addressing the grievances, sentiments, and demands of Muslims
in the region. The BAR is a parliamentary-democratic government consists of an executive and a
legislative branch. It will be headed by the regional leader called the Chief Minister, who will be chosen
among members of the Bangsamoro government while its members will be elected by the people.

The territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro region will be the subject of a plebiscite in areas under
the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Cotabato City, Isabela City in Basilan, 6 towns in
Lanao del Norte, 39 barangays in different North Cotabato towns, and other contiguous areas that seek
to be included in the region.

Fiscal Autonomy: The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region is given fiscal autonomy to achieve economic
self-sufficiency and genuine development. Revenue sources for the Bangsamoro include taxes, fees,
charges, an annual block grant, and revenue shares from exploration of natural resources, among
others.

Military: Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed in the region will still be under the
national government's supervision, as the law says the defense and security of the Bangsamoro region
will still be the responsibility of the central government.

Police: The Philippine National Police will directly supervise and maintain the Bangsamoro regional
police office. Members of the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front may be admitted to the
police force within 5 years of the law's ratification.

3.) Interpretation
 BOL symbolises the willingness of all Filipinos, including Christian Filipinos and the Bangsamoro
people, to resolve the conflict in Mindanao and to come together to address the issues and
concerns of the Bangsamoro people
 It would be an effective approach in resolving the conflict in Mindanao as it would give the
Bangsamoro people a measure of self-rule with a collective identity, history, religion, culture
and customs.
 It could also potentially address issues that led to rebellion by the Bangsamoro people against
the Philippine Government
 A unifying instrument which serves the welfare of all people within the Bangsamoro.

4.) Theories

Conservatism: Promotes keeping traditions in society. Conservatives seek to preserve the status quo or
to reform society slowly, while others seek to return to the values of an earlier time.

 The concept of BOL implies that the Moros have distinct characteristics which bind them
together in a collective identity. Thus, the Bangsamoro collective identity originates from the
shared ethnicity, religion, customs and historical experience of the Bangsamoro people.
 The concept of BOL that encompasses all the Moro ethno linguistic groups in Mindanao is
...united by common religious faith (Islam), the Arabic alphabet and the Shari'ah or Islamic law...
they are all proud of their glorious history, zealous of their hopes, dreams, and aspirations as a
people, and assertive of their politico-religious rights and liberties.
 The purpose of this Basic Law is to establish a political entity, provide for its basic structure of
government in recognition of the justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro
people and their aspiration to chart their political future through a democratic process that will
secure their identity.

Liberalism: based on liberty and equal rights

  The Bangsamoro government would be at the forefront of keeping public order and safety,
dispensing justice within the bounds of the law, and addressing the basic requisites of a good
life that Muslims are entitled to.
 The preservation and development of the cultural heritage of the people in the Autonomous
Region was given due importance in the Organic Act, too. It called for the strengthening and
development of the madrasah or Islamic teaching in the Autonomous Region.
 The Organic Act also mandated the Autonomous Regional Government to formulate its own
urban and rural development plan. For this purpose, a Regional Planning and Development
Board was created with private sector participation, in emulation of the government-private
sector tie-ups set by the President.
5.) Strategies
 Continuous communication of the government with the interest groups.
 The government has been consistent on persuading and providing officials that really supports
the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law
 The Government’s actions on information dissemination about the ongoing armed struggle from
the Moros.
6.) Moral Implications

The decades of struggle in Muslim Mindanao has led to numerous deaths and massive destruction.
It has plagued both the government and the people in Mindanao whether Christian or Muslim. With an
Islamic point of view the conflict would go against the Islamic belief. Contrary to stereotypical thinking,
Islam would never support the killing of innocent people. The Holy Qur’an never advocated killings. It is
all the work of a few misguided individuals at the fringes of society. The real Islam is sanctified from
violence and denounces all violence. Islam means peace and tolerance. (Warraq, I., 2002). On the other
hand, a Christian point of view believes that it is God’s Commandment “Thou shall not kill”. The conflict
had been immoral in the eyes of both and giving hope to end the conflict would be beneficial for both
groups. The end goal of the Bangsamoro Organic Law is morally acceptable since ending the conflict
between the Moros and the Government would lead to ending the war and ending the deaths. There is
a compromise on the side of the government but with the result of hopefully reaching lasting peace in
the land which would benefit all people.

Bibliography
Bacus, R. M. (2015). Autonomy or Secession: Analysis of the Constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Basic
Law. Ateneo Law Journal.
Gutierrez, B. (2019, February 12). Fast facts on the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Retrieved from Philippine
Information Agency: https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1018364
Marcelo, V. (2018, July 24). The Bangsamoro Organic Law: Everything you need to know. CNN.
Quevedo, C. (2018, December 30). PEACETALK: The Bangsamoro Organic Law and Social Justice.
Retrieved from Mindanao News: https://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2018/12/peacetalk-the-
bangsamoro-organic-law-and-social-justice/
The Philippines: Breakthrough in Mindanao. (2012, December 5). Retrieved from Crisis Group:
https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/philippines/philippines-breakthrough-mindanao
Warraq, I. (2018, August 10). A Call To The Muslims Of The World. Retrieved from Center For Inquiry:
https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/a-call-to-the-muslims-of-the-world/