THE Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) can withstand the constitutionality test amid the petition for certiorari filed against it at the Supreme Court, according to Deputy Speaker and Sulu Rep. Munir M. Arbison.
In a statement, Arbison said the petition to review the constitutionality of the BOL filed by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II in October 11 at the Supreme Court will likely be “dismissed for lack of merit.”
Arbison also said Tan’s claims were political in nature and that Congress did not commit a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it passed the BOL.
“Although we respect his right to question the passage of the law, the combined legal minds of the Senate and the House of Representatives have already painstakingly scrutinized the constitutionality of the BOL. If at all, this latest challenge on the new law is to affirm its constitutionality with finality,” Arbison said.
“Such facts are evidence that the governor is merely using his position for the furtherance of his personal interest. His purpose is purely political and for his family’s vested interest, that is, the full control of the province of Sulu,” he added.
Arbison said local leaders and their constituents supported the BOL. They include local chief executives and residents of the municipalities of Parang, Omar, Luuk, Tapul, Talipao, Indanan, Tongkil, Panglima Estino, Pangutaran and Jolo, Panamao.
He added that constituents in other municipalities are in support of the peace efforts of the administration and do not share the sentiments of Governor Tan. Arbison said all municipalities were represented and heard during the public hearing for the proposed measure.
When the BOL was passed, multilateral development banks such as the Asian Development B ank (ADB) and the World Bank welcomed the passage of the piece of legislation.
The ADB said the passage of the BOL will increase the country’s chances of meeting its poverty reduction goals, while the World Bank said it would ensure lasting peace in Mindanao.
Both multilateral development banks expressed increased support to the Philippines, particularly on efforts to boost economic growth, development and lasting peace in Mindanao.