Editorial

The dynamics of autonomy and federal statehood      

Two political events to watch as these affect the dynamism of our society. One is the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the final version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, that would create the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The other is charter change pushing for a federal form of government from the current unitary one.

        The plebiscite for the BAR, a parliamentary-democratic system, could be set sometime in November or December if ratified by both chambers of the Congress and approved by the President. Cotabato City will join in this plebiscite whether or not it be part of the new regional geo-political set-up.

Nevertheless, if people would ratify federalism in another plesbiscite, though majority in a survey negate the federal statehood, our city will form part of the Bangsamoro federated state in Mindanao.

        The draft federal constitution has been submitted by the Consultative Committee to the President and the Senate, the latter already conducting a debate on the proposed provisions. There is a move among Senators not to hasten charter change to give way first on the dynamism of the BAR, which would be another political experiment to function similar to a federal state with more political and economic empowerment, one that is perceived to stave off further conflict in the autonomous region. The BOL is a product of the long stages of peace negotiations between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the national government with so many stakeholders involved in the transition --- Muslims, Christians, and Indigenous People. Even foreign-donor countries form part of the stakeholders in pushing for long lasting and sustainable peace and development in the region.

        It is expected, though, that the BOL will be questioned before the Supreme court as to its constitutionality. We don’t know yet who will file a protest against the BOL. If it passes the scrutiny of the High Court, it will not be a short period to measure the functionality of the BAR. Will this bring about the desired peace? There is a need for disarmament of armed groups to realize tranquility and reduce conflict. How will it utilize the block grant to finance its programs and projects? With the rich natural resources, how will it make use of these to sustain its existence and be free from national dependency? Really, it would take years to test and witness the efficacy of the new political set-up which is yet to be born to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

        We cannot just cross our fingers on this regional development as we are partakers of this governance. We are directly a witness to change. Politics is a dynamic phenomenon, we are part of it, we cannot remain passive. Let’s see how the birth of the BARwill work for us… and then the federal statehood once people would ratify charter change. Such change(s) would either end up desirable or undesirable depending on the workability and adaptability of the new system.