Photo by Hamdan Badrudin
COTABATO CITY—Legal luminaries and Shari’ah advisors along with local government entities convened here on July 21 to discuss the creation of the Bangsamoro Justice Framework, which will be the basis for Government of the Day’s key legislation and policies from 2023 to 2025.
Member of Parliament (MP) Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, who also heads the Bangsamoro Attorney General Office (BAGO), presided over the meeting and disclosed that following the success of the 1st Bangsamoro Tri-Justice Summit last February, there is no other way but to move forward in pursuit of developing and adopting a legal framework for the Tri-Justice System in the BARMM.
“It is important that we finally craft the Legal Framework for the Tri-Justice System in the BARMM because one of the key priorities of the Bangsamoro Government in the 2nd Bangsamoro Development Plan for 2023-2028 is to improve and strengthen Governance Mechanisms for a ‘stable and just’ Bangsamoro Government,” Alba said.
“With the effectivity of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the provisions of the Bangsamoro Justice System give a premium to the unique cultural and historical heritage of the Bangsamoro. It emphasizes that the dispensation of justice in the region shall be in consonance with the Constitution, Shari’ah, traditional or tribal laws, and other relevant laws,” she emphasized.
Accordingly, the legal framework to be developed will involve cross-cutting issues, affecting several aspects of the justice system in the region.
The participants shared their expertise and knowledge and addressed some issues that play significantly in the creation of the Tri-Justice System, such as the Bangsamoro’s unique cultural and historical heritage under the Regular Courts, Shari’ah Courts, and Tribal Courts.
Meanwhile, Parang Municipal Mayor Cahar Ibay shared his expertise in addressing rido (family feud) in a traditional way which will help develop the creation of the Tri-justice System.
“Hangga’t maaga, kailangang maagapan ang rido dahil habang tumatagal, mas lalo itong lumalawak dahil family to family ang magka-away, minsan kinakausap namin ang bawat isa sakanila at binabayaran ang mga danyos na epekto ng rido,” Ibay said.
He added, “malaking tulong itong ginagawa natin kasi ito ang basehan (para) magkakaroon tayo ng legalities at batas ng Bangsamoro sa pagresolba ng mga ganiting kaso (rido).” (Johaira Sahidala/BIO)
