On the Bangsamoro Question as tied with the political struggle of the Filipino People

The Constitution of the Philippines recognizes the distinct and unique cultural character of the Bangsamoro people yet it fell short of recognizing it in its entirety. Meaning, the 1987 Constitution tries to experiment its way out of the Bangsamoro Question by treating the problem as a “real estate” problem similar with how Israel is treating the Palestinian Question. No where in this charter where it says that the very governance system itself of the entire country is to be changed to accommodate the aspirations of the Bangsamoro People.

For peace to finally settle in the South, there has to be a recognition that the Bangsamoro Question is simply not just a territorial issue, but an adoption of an entirely different system of life. Islam, which is the core belief of about 8 million Muslims living in Mindanao, is by itself, a way of life, not just a religion.  To practice Islam is to live in a system entirely Islamic or recognizes Islamic principles and laws. Without this recognition, all efforts toward peace run the risks of being sidelined.

To resolve the Bangsamoro Question, there must be a change in the system of the Republic, which codex of laws must be a fusion of Islamic and non-Islamic principles.

What is happening right now is that the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) is trying to experiment whether the Islamic system being held by the Bangsamoro People can work within the republican, democratic system as adopted by the country from the United States. That since this is just a territorial problem, the GRP thinks that the “democratization” of institutions is the panacea for the Bangsamoro people.

This is okey if the concept of “democracy” jibes with the concept as held in Islam.

What peace advocates think of “democracy” runs dissimilar with the “democracy” of the Bangsamoro people. The “democracy” espoused by the GRP is based on civil rights—the recognition of these rights as enjoyed by peoples and individuals and based on many UN conventions.

Meaning, the GRP is content of giving and recognizing the “democracy” for the Bangsamoro in the form of respect of religious and civil rights, but not the full extent of democracy, as what the Bangsamoro wants.

For the Bangsamoro, when one talks about “democracy”, one does not just cover civil or cultural rights but political and economic rights as well. This is where the problem lies.

The GRP in sum, proposes a “limited political democracy” where Bangsamoros are free to vote and be voted upon but under the republican democratic system.  Unknown to the government, a republican system is not the proper and prescribed governance system in Islam. Islam proposes a totally different system, described as close and more consultative than the present Republican form as mandated by the 1987 Philippine constitution. That explains why an autonomous setup failed and will always fail in the Bangsamoro claimed territories because it does not satisfy even the minimum requirements of Islam.

Besides, given the minority status of Filipino Muslims in society (in terms of numbers), there is always the risks of substantive changes not implemented based on Islamic terms because really, the ideological belief conflicts with the majority belief. For example, will the government recognize a different code of labor in relation to Filipino Muslims? Will government recognize that five times in a day a Filipino Muslim laborer or worker is mandated by his religion to pray before Allah SWT? Will government mandate every factory and office to provide prayer rooms in their offices even though they only employ one Filipino Muslim?

How about the concept of “interests” in government finances? In Islam, it is prohibited. In the system currently being adopted by the Philippines, interests in loans and money transactions exist or are recognized. Will our system recognize non-liability or non-responsibility in defaults in loans?

In the United States, to avoid such complications, the government assumes or recognizes no dominant religion. In the Philippines, this is different. The very fact that the Preamble recognizes the existence of God and that the Supreme Court issues rulings in recognition of some religions meant that the republic, by itself, adopts a religious belief which the State assumes to be dominant or being believed at by majority of its peoples.

Right now, what this government and its peoples are ready to accept are mundane things in relation to Islam, most are about family relations. Filipinos generally accept polygamous relationships and ascribe these to Islamic beliefs.  There are many other Islamic practices and beliefs already being recognized but this acceptance comes short to political and governance issues.

This strong aversion to the terms “independence” and “political democracy” has its roots to the belief that Bangsamoros are themselves, Filipinos and hence, based on the concept of national unity, these peoples have no right to create or establish their own governance system.

This concept can be traced back to the simple interpretation of the term “unitary” in our Constitution. Being a unitary system, there is simply no room for another political entity and hence, any suggestion of a state within a state or a “sub-state” runs the risk of being struck down as unconstitutional.

Our present interpretation of the very nature of our State is Unitary, Republican and Democratic. If we are to truly resolve the Bangsamoro Question, we need to address these terms, change it to accommodate Islamic principles; otherwise, there is no room really for true and lasting peace, only perpetual destabilization in the South.

A Bangsamoro State

Is a Bangsamoro state possible? Yes it is, provided that the system being held as sacred by the Bangsamoro peoples are recognized in a new Constitution of the Philippines.

Malaysia and Indonesia are two examples of a state “unified” inspite of differing religious systems. Muslim Malaysia has a harmonious relationship with other religions because its system recognized and adopted such systems to its own. Hinduist, Buddhists and Christian beliefs are tolerated because Islam by itself, provided for such a system of acceptance.

In its history, clashes among several states happened in Malaysia, not to mention racial conflicts. These clashes are now a thing of the past because Malaysia opted for confederation and religious tolerance.

Secular Indonesia has learned to face the raging tides of change by recognising other religions as well, because Islam does not discriminate. Notice that in these two countries, they operate a Parliamentary form, something consistent with Islam. There is a strong national acceptance of the system. With acceptance comes strict adherence especially of the laws established.

Singapore, another Southeast Asian country, is likewise Parliamentary, yet entirely not federal because its obvious---it is just one small island.

Peace means Federal Parliamentary

It is time for the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) to recognize the urgency of changing the present form of governance from republican democratic to a federal parliamentary form. This solves the Bangsamoro Question because this system does not run in conflict with Islam plus the fact that the very nature of this country, an archiepelago, with several power centers in place, puts the proposed system as suited to solve the fundamental problems in political and economic governace of this country.

Changes toward Federal Parliamentary is struggle, even war

Many young leaders of this country thinks that this system is most essential if we are to survive the next decade and if we are really serious in solving the fundamental problems of this country.

The only hindrance towards the attainment of this ideal is the traditional political and economic powers of this country, whose dominance over the lives of the Filipino people has been for generations.

The economic elites of this country favors permanent political destabilisation simply because it does not affect the economy and even provides stimulus for its growth. A change in the system which favors a more equitable distribution of the national wealth is unacceptable to these people.

Hence, there is no more option left for change seekers---struggle towards the complete overhaul of the entire system dominated by these selfish economic elites and create a new elite whose interests lie in deconstructing Philippine society.

On the Bangsamoro Peace Deal---a complete revision of the 1987 Constitution is in order

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Pnoy does a good job in Tourism and Investor Relations

Let's see--what are the areas that President Aquino's administration fared well? In the SWS survey, tourism and investor relations are two of at least seven areas of concern that Pnoy did quite well. There is one which the pollsters probably forgot---the silent unification of reform groups under his leadership.


For some groups allied with the President, two years are not enough to gauge the overall performance of this administration. I agree. With the monumental problems left behind by the Arroyo administration, de-structuring the bureaucracy is one big problem which continues to challenge this administration. This administration took great pains in reviewing the onerous contracts entered into by its predecessor.It takes great leadership and time to do that.


This is the reason why groups are still hopeful that, in the end of the term of this President, there will be at least some problems which either will be terminated or delimited in scope. One of the bright spots I see is the resolution of the Bangsamoro Question. Another one, is the raging Communist insurgency.


Aside from these, I think the economy will remain resilient inspite of the impending threat of global recession. Citibank already said that the Philippine banking system is totally impervious over the financial malady that has caused great pains in many parts of the world. The banking system is protected because it is now awash with cash.


Tourism will bring in more revenues and jobs for the country in the future. The opening of the Entertainment City is being anticipated by several top companies already. I am definitely sure that tourism will bring in the goods. 


Investors are also bullish about the way things are being handled administratively and in politics. However, more efforts should be put into levelling the business playing field. This may take some time, but the future is brighter than before. 

Ping and Pong call for war in Mindanao--stupid

The "Ping and Pong" tandem at the House is surely one of the most comical groups there is in Philippine politics right now. 


Senator Panfilo Ping Lacson wants the Aquino administration to wage war against the MILF by suspending the talks and engaging elements involved in the killing of the 19 soldiers in Basilan. Ping even told Aquino to do "an Erap", by mobilizing all armed troops and attack the biggest armed forces apart from the AFP.


His counterpart at the House, former AFP chief of staff and senator Pong Biazon concurs, saying that it is time to wage war against the insurgents.


How stupid these Ping Pong characters in the House are. I am not surprised why we are in a rut.


I think Noynoy is not the suicidal type. He's not the type of leader who will head towards unchartered waters without thinking of the lasting consequences of such acts.


When Erap's minions occupied MILF camps, he did so within a few weeks. Unknown to him, the MILF purposely left their camps to shift tactics--from regular army formations to guerilla. Had the war lasted, it could have been disastrous for the Philippine government because of the expected casualties such a mindless enterprise would have entailed.


Besides, what happened to Erap shortly afterwards? Erap was ousted. He spent a fraction of the treasury to fund his war machine, which affected the economy. The economy fell, and many people blamed Erap for the direct effects of war---untold death, misery, and poverty. 


Erap's political capital was also spent, to a point where most of his supporters shifted allegiance because of the amount of flak he got from the people. He eventually got isolated. When his isolation was complete, Erap got a taste of what no other Philippine Leader experienced in their careers---a humiliating exit.


A war against Muslim insurgents would amount to nothing. Fact is, it would further enflame the region with calls of separatism. 


A further escalation of conflict would realize the dream of pan-Asiatic Islamic terrorists---transform Mindanao into a regional battlefield, like what the US did to Afghanistan and Iraq.


A war will worsen the state of affairs of the Philippines. With an underperforming economy, a breakout of war would deeply affect the economy. 


Likewise, it would also break the focus of this government. The Aquino administration is concentrating on the anti-graft and corruption fight. Don't tell me Mr. Senator and Mr. Congressman that you want nothing more than divert the attention or path of this government?


A war would surely divert the attention of this administration. Instead of firming up cases against grafters, most certainly, against the Arroyos, what would happen in case war breaks out, is that all resources of government would be mobilize to strike the enemy. It would also create chaos within the Aquino organisation in such a very high level that it would not be able to concentrate on more pressing and more major issues of repairing the problems caused by the 9-year old rule of the Arroyos.


The time is not ripe for war. The Aquino administration is in the right path. It is transfiguring the bureaucracy. It is concentrating on correcting the monumental errors within the superstructure. It is repairing even the political system.


A war would just create more problems and would just divert the attention of this government. Instead of fighting drug lords, smugglers, jueteng lords, and big-time economic saboteurs, the Aquino administration will be constrained to spend public money fighting an enemy whose mission is to prolong the conflict so that they achieve what their ancestors longed for--a truly independent Bangsamoro republic.

The Bangsamoro Question and its 2-fold struggle

I've been to Mindanao several times already and though I am not born there, I know what is happening there. Mindanao is not just rich in natural resources--it is also being enriched by the people who live there. 


Many of my friends live in Mindanao. They are both Christians and Muslims. For my Muslim friends, some of them consider themselves as Bangsamoros. Before, the term is exclusive for those who only believe in the Islamic faith and who reside in Mindanao. Now, even Christians consider themselves as Bangsamoros.


Seriously, there is nothing wrong in Mindanao. The entire region is blessed with so much riches, especially natural resources, that, given the chance for self-rule, Mindanao may even eclipse Metro Manila and Cebu as the most progressive and the richest place in the Philippine archipelago. I heard so many foreign investors willing to invest in the place. And I personally know that Bangsamoros will definitely do good not just in establishing strong trade relations with other countries, but also will develop their place as a modern, cosmopolitan place in no time.


I visit General Santos every month and I love the place. There is peace and tranquility there. Christians and Muslims live peacefully there. There is no rancor between the two religious groups simply because every single thing has been provided for every one, regardless of religion, for self-development. You don't see shanties there, a stark difference from the ones in Davao del Sur, Maguindanao and Lanao. Every single resident of GenSan is contented by their lives because the city itself gives equal opportunity to anyone willing to invest her or his time for self-improvement and for commerce.


I wrote here several entries ago, that, the only problem in Mindanao is peace and security. Muslims claim a part of it for themselves which is quite understandable if we are to base it in History. However, though their claims have basis in history, the very question as to who really own Mindanao is still subject of extreme debate.


Muslims have dominated the Western and Eastern hemispheres of Mindanao while the North and the South are predominantly Christian. Now, the question is-is it possible for these territories being claimed to be ceded to their original owners? Yes, it is under a legislative action. Government must change the provisions of the Constitution and refigure its territorial claims to be able to accommodate such a solution.


And who, may I ask, are the original owners of these lands? It would have to be the traditional royal families in Mindanao, most of them, warlords. So, in the event of a reconfiguration, traditional royal families will have to battle it out with both the MILF and the MNLF for political power.


The Bangsamoro question will not be resolved through a peace agreement because even if the government accedes with the demands for self-rule, the entire region will still be beset by violence. A civil war between and among different interest groups will shortly happen once government or the MILF succeeds in its independence claim.


For example, this early, the so-called Sultan of Sulu is making claims of the Jolo Group, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi---three areas within the territories being claimed by the MILF as bangsamoro territorial homeland. The possibility of a clash is very likely there, since the Sultan will not give in to the rebels once an MILF Bangsamoro homeland is recognized.


Really, the Bangsamoro struggle is two-fold: resistence against imperial Manila and once it is achieved, resistance against so-called traditional royal families who will surely claim ownership of several lands under the Bangsamoro homeland territory. 


What Mindanao needs is a hegemon---a strong and powerful force able and capable of unifying these groups under one proposition---development. When every single group in Mindanao agrees to keep it safe and simple in the name of development, and not religion, then, every thing will take care of itself, naturally, like what happened in Malaysia.