Muslim women from several organizations in Metro Manila rally outside the Senate on Monday, January 26, to call for the immediate passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he is calling for the suspension of hearings on the BBL following the deaths of at least 37 policemen in an ambush on January 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao by MILF fighters. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) on Friday asked the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Areement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
In a 26-page petition, Philconsa, led by its president Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and former Sen. Francisco “Kit” Tatad, also asked the high tribunal to stop the Budget Department from releasing funds to pursue or implement the FAB, the CAB, and the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.
The group said the balance of unspent funds intended for the contested deals should instead be returned to the National Treasury.
Likewise, the petitioner also asked that the Commission on Audit be disallowed from auditing funds and expenses incurred by the government panel.
The chair of the government peace panel should also be admonished and be warned “to be more prudent and cautious in dealing with the amorphous, self-styled entity, exclusively to the exclusion of other Muslims, Christians and Lumads,” said the group. (MNS)