[Rappler] On Wednesday, representatives of the Moro National Liberation Front and the sultanate of Sulu turned a Senate hearing on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law into an opportunity to reiterate their staunch opposition to the proposed law. The recurring sentiment of the representatives was that the envisioned Bangsamoro autonomous region is designed to benefit the Moro Islamic Liberation Front over other groups. Both groups said they felt excluded from the BBL, despite previous assurances from peace negotiators that the law is inclusive.
The MNLF warned that the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan -- three of the five provinces under the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao –- would vote against the BBL during the plebiscite.
While the Bangsamoro government does not prevent groups other than the MILF to participate in the government, the law is based on a peace pact that was the product of negotiations with a single group – the MILF. The MILF will also lead the transitional government, another concern for the MNLF.
The Sulu sultanate wants areas under the traditional jurisdiction of the monarchy, which includes the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, to be excluded from the Bangsamoro. They also objected to the provision appointing a Wali or a titular head of the Bangsamoro autonomous government since they still recognize the traditional sultans.