Equality, Unity, Bangsamoro Organic Law: A Reconceptualization of the Law

Comment by Michelle Ann Paculanang

There have been countless unrest in various forms in the country throughout the years. This unrest is most
noticeable on the island of Mindanao, or so they say. The island seems to carry the prejudice that, it is the part of
the country where wars are through bloodshed.

The country is a cornucopia of cultures, religions, traditions, and beliefs and with this comes minor disagreements.
The country must pause and review its statutes to stand under one flag as a nation; it must rethink the laws that
govern the land and give space to compromises.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law is a reconceptualization of the national law that governs the entire Philippines. The
newly signed law is not free of any apprehensions as there will be factions that will arise with any changes to what
is the norm. The Bangsamoro Organic Law, which is a law that caters to the Autonomous Regions of Muslim
Mindanao, has its primary focus on the Moro people and other minority groups.

In the report published in the PhilStar Global, 79% of the Muslim community is in favor of the Bangsamoro Organic
Law. This report is according to the poll that was collected 1. The Bangsamoro Organic Law may look like it will only
benefit the Muslims; it is not so. Fearing change and progress is the kind of thinking that will hold back the
advancement of a country.

First and foremost, the Bangsamoro Organic Law was created not to oppressed and suppressed the rights of the
Muslims and other ethnic groups. The law talks about the advantages that it would give the Moro and ethnic
groups to protect their rights better. However, one of the biggest questions of the passing of this law is that it will
become leverage for more nefarious reasons. These are simply apprehensions and doubts that hold the country
from achieving its highest potential.

It is a great deal to think about the possibilities that represent both the pros and cons of Bangsamoro Organic Law.
Oppositions and support are part of the transformation. It gives a better perspective to the Filipinos if they truly
understand the platform in which the Bangsamoro Organic Law stands for.

The BOL is the result of the desire of the people to have lasting peace in Mindanao 2. It is a solution that is
supposed to give not just power but a voice to the voiceless. Does it guarantee everlasting peace? It is a question
that is difficult to answer on its own. It is the questions that so terrifies others from supporting it. Chaos comes
from change; disagreement comes from dissatisfaction. In order for a government to better control dissatisfaction,
one must be able to cater to what is genuinely needed.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law is a separate entity that also reminds the Filipino that there is unity in separation.
This is a dangerous term to use as it can be misconstrued into several ideas. However, separation in terms of
governing the land in which Bangsamoro people will also have the right of self-determination, which is basically
their collective right to achieve their own political, cultural and economic privilege 3 is one should be given focus to.

1
Patricia Lourdes Viray, 79% of Muslims in favor of the Bangsamoro Organic Law-SWS, January 22, 2019, available
at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/22/1887202/79-muslims-favor-bangsamoro-organic-law-sws last
accessed on January 15, 2019.
2
BBL: Is it worth it?, July 20, 2015 available at https://lkdzapata17.weebly.com/blog/bbl-is-it-worth-it last accessed
on January 15, 2020.
3
Gutierrez, Beatrice, Fast Facts on the Bangsamoro Organic Law, ; available at
https://pia.gov.ph/features/articles/1018364 last accessed on January 15, 2020
References:

1 Patricia Lourdes Viray, 79% of Muslims in favor of the Bangsamoro Organic Law-SWS, January 22, 2019, available
at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/22/1887202/79-muslims-favor-bangsamoro-organic-law-sws last
accessed on January 15, 2019.

2 BBL: Is it worth it?, July 20, 2015 available at https://lkdzapata17.weebly.com/blog/bbl-is-it-worth-it last

accessed on January 15, 2020.

3 Gutierrez, Beatrice, Fast Facts on the Bangsamoro Organic Law, available at

https://pia.gov.ph/features/articles/1018364 last accessed on January 15, 2020