The Supreme Court on Sept. 9, 2024 upholds the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, reinforcing Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) autonomy while affirming it remains part of the Philippines. (Hamdan Bardrudin/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Supreme Court (SC) has upheld, Monday, Sept. 9, the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 11054, also known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), thereby reinforcing the legal framework for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and its expanded autonomy.
The SC unanimously upheld the validity of the BOL, saying the region is not a separate state from the Philippines.
SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae Ting stated that the law neither provides BARMM the power to enter into relations with other states nor grants the region its own sovereignty.
“The BARMM’s autonomy is limited to its internal governance. The fact that it was granted greater autonomy compared to other territorial and political subdivisions does not imply separation from the national government,” the SC Spokesperson highlighted.
Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim welcomed the high court’s decision.
“This landmark ruling validates the decades-long peace process that led to the creation of the BARMM, a region that embodies the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people for self-determination and autonomy,” the Chief Minister emphasized in a statement released on Sept. 11, 2024.
The SC ruling is a significant milestone for the Bangsamoro people, as it solidifies the legal foundation of the BOL, which grants the region greater autonomy and self-governance.
The law, ratified in 2019, has been a crucial part of the peace process between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), aiming to address long-standing issues of marginalization and conflict in the region.
“The BOL is far more than just a legislative act. It is a measure that gives legal effect to the politically negotiated settlements, reflecting the agreements and compromise of various stakeholders,” Ebrahim said. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
