News GPH Panel Signed Agreements Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro Timeline Infographics Resources Bangsamoro Transition Commission Draft Bangsamoro Basic Law FAQs on the draft BBL Framers of the 1987 Constitution Support Bangsamoro Posted on Monday, Jan 12th, 2015 FRAMERS OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION SUPPORT BANGSAMORO January 9, 2015 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PREAMBLE: In a first formal meeting since the drafting of the 1987 Charter, former members of the Constitutional Commission forged a consensus on the issue of Bangsamoro. Representing the unanimous sentiment of fourteen of the eighteen surviving members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission (four of us are either bed-ridden or could not be reached) out of the original forty eight, this Statement on the Bangsamoro deals with the vision, spirit and the core principles behind the provisions on autonomous regions which to our mind constitute the essential constitutionality of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. – The core principle of the 1987 Constitution in mandating a special status for the autonomous regions is the human development of the people of Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras. Hence, the public conversation should not be about semantics but about people – their needs, their aspirations, their choices - and about empowering them with the environment and institutional framework for social justice. Social justice that calls for genuine social change is the central theme of the 1987 Constitution; and here, it is broader in scope and intent than in the 1973 and the 1935 Constitutions. An interpretation of any relevant provision of the Constitution that results in war and abject poverty would be contrary to its intention. Reason tells us that a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region can close the centuries-old gap between law and justice and that we are on the cusp of a historic opportunity to make it happen. The decision on the Bangsamoro will ultimately rest on what the people want of our country. And what the deliberations and the overwhelming vote in the plebiscite for the Constitution tell us is that they dream of a free people in a democratic society where peace and justice reign. It was clearly a vision borne of EDSA – an extraordinary event in our history because it was the coming together of ordinary people from all walks of life to peacefully regain their freedom. Let us set aside partisan politics and stop the urge to exhibit our ability to find nuances of legalism that can delay, or worse, derail the process, feeding on the cynicism and playing on the fears in the national psyche that are more reflex reaction than reasoned response. It has been 27 years since the Constitution was approved by our people but we are still living in the mass poverty, gross inequalities and cultural inequities of the past, and the promise of genuine social change has not unfolded. There is no better way to demonstrate our commitment to peace and development than by giving the Bangsamoro people the opportunity to create a higher and better future for themselves than what they have. This calls for courageous statesmanship from our leaders and the generosity of spirit of a united nation. In turn, the challenge to the Bangsamoro people is to demonstrate the same commitment by treating other indigenous peoples and uniting all Muslim communities with magnanimity and statesmanship. In this manner, Bangsamoro can be a model for us to do the same for the rest of the country and thereby build together a more just and peaceful nation. We fully support the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Signatories: Felicitas Aquino-Arroyo, Adolfo S. Azcuna, Teodoro C. Bacani, Joaquin G. Bernas, Florangel Rosario Braid, Hilario G. Davide Jr. , Edmundo G. Garcia, Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon, Christian S. Monsod, Ricardo J. Romulo, Rene V. Sarmiento, Jaime S.L. Tadeo, Wilfrido V. Villacorta, Bernardo M. Villegas (14) Those who are bed-ridden or could not be reached: Ponciano L. Bennagen, Teresa F. Nieva, Florenz D. Regalado, Napoleon G. Rama (4) In memoriam of those who are no longer with us: Cecilia Munoz-Palma, Yusup R. Abubakar, Ahmad Domocao Alonto, Jose F.S. Bengzon Jr., Lino O. Brocka, Jose D. Calderon, Crispino M. de Castro, Rustico F. de los ReyesJose C. Colayco, Roberto R. Concepcion, Vicente B. Foz, Serafin V. C. Guingona, Alberto M. K. Jamir, Jose B. Laurel Jr.. Eulogio R. Lerum, Regalado E. Maambong, Teodulo C. Natividad, Jose N. Nolledo, Ambrosio B. Padilla, Blas F. Ople, Minda Luz M, Quesada, Cirilo A. Rigos, Francisco A. Rodrigo, Decoroso R. Rosales, Jose E. Suarez, Lorenzo M. Sumulong, Christine O. Tan, Gregorio Tingson, Efren B, Trenas, Lugum I. Uka, (30) http ://opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/framers-1987-constitution-support-bangsamoro
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 09:33:11 +0000
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