Frequently Asked Questions[learn_more caption="What is the framework agreement?"]

It is a commitment by the government and the MILF to establish a new autonomous political entity in Muslim Mindanao. It will replace the ARMM with a more empowered and more equitable system called the Bangsamoro. This agreement involves the MILF abandoning the goal of establishing a separate state, and committing to eventually render its armed forces “beyond use.” Despite the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF, the ARMM continues to be among the poorest and least developed regions in the country. In 2009, poverty incidence in the region was at 38.1%. All provinces in the region were also recorded to be above the national poverty incidence of 20.9 percent. This did not happen for lack of funds. According to the Commission on Audit’s special audit, of the 850 million pesos allocated for infrastructure projects in ARMM’s 2010 budget, not one construction budget was completed. 90 percent of ARMM’s funding was allocated to “Personnel Services,” and until now, that money has not been accounted for. Poverty, corruption, and impunity in the region cannot be defeated without structural change.

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[learn_more caption="How is this different from the MOA-AD?"]

First, this framework agreement does not commit the government to constitutional change. Second, the agreement has been done in full transparency, as noted by its publication online prior to its signing. Third, there is no mention of ancestral domain in the document. Fourth, while the MOA-AD [2008] was written in such a way that the government could have acted without a plebiscite. This Framework Agreement [2012] is very clear in requiring a democratic mandate. First, the organic law, to be written by the Transition Committee, must be passed by Congress. Then the communities involved must approve it by plebiscite. Assuming the law is passed and the plebiscite is approved, then the MILF must seek an elected mandate from the people.

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[learn_more caption="Do we need to Revise the Constitution?"]

The framework agreement does not commit any of the parties to work for charter change. The major political commitments that were made in the Framework Agreement can be achieved within the flexibilities of the existing constitution. Nevertheless, Article 17 of the Constitution allows any citizen to recommend ideas to amend the constitution through proper legal processes.

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[learn_more caption="What will happen to the BIAF?"]

Under this agreement, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces will be put “beyond use” through a gradual process of decommissioning.

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[learn_more caption="What is the scope of the territory?"]

The Framework Agreement states: “The core territory of the Bangsamoro shall be composed of: (a) the present geographical area of the ARMM; (b) the Municipalities of Baloi, Munai, Nunugan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal in the province of Lanao del Norte and all other barangays in the Municipalities of Kabacan, Carmen, Aleosan, Pigkawayan, Pikit, and Midsayap that voted for inclusion in the ARMM during the 2001 plebiscite; (c) the cities of Cotabato and Isabela; and (d) all other contiguous areas where there is a resolution of the local government unit or a petition of at least ten percent (10%) of the qualified voters in the area asking for their inclusion at least two months prior to the conduct of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and the process of delimitation of the Bangsamoro….”

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[learn_more caption="What if we don’t want to be part of this?"]

All areas contemplated to be under the Bangasmoro will be asked through a plebiscite if they want to be included. This gives the community the choice to opt out of the Bangsamoro.

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[learn_more caption="What powers will they have? Are they going to be independent?"]

The Bangsamoro will have competence over Shari’ah courts that will try personal, non-criminal cases between Muslims. Moreover, according to the Framework Agreement: “Consistent with the Bangsamoro Basic Law will have the power to create its own sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees, and charges, subject to limitations as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties. This power shall include the power to determine tax bases and tax rates, guided by the principles of devolution of power, equity, accountability, administrative simplicity, harmonization, economic efficiency, and fiscal autonomy.” Nevertheless, the national government retains powers on:

a. Defense and external security

b. Foreign policy

c. Common market and global trade, provided that the power to enter into economic agreements already allowed under Republic Act No. 9054 shall be transferred to the Bangsamoro

d. Coinage and monetary policy

e. Citizenship and naturalization f. Postal service

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[learn_more caption="How do you have a parliamentary government under a presidential government?"]

There is nothing in the Constitution which prohibits an autonomous area from having a ministerial form of government. The Constitution also states that whatever government is in the autonomous region, it shall always be under the supervision of the President.

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Statements on the Framework Agreement

Speech of President Aquino during the signing of the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, October 15, 2012

I ask the entire nation, and the entire world, to join me in imagining: A Mindanao finally free from strife, where people achieve their fullest potential. A child in Lamitan will be offered the same education as a child in Quezon City; the sick of Patikul will gain access to the same healthcare as those in Pasig. From constant displacement, there will be now a stable employment. Families who once cowered in fear of gunshots will now emerge from their homes to a bright new dawn of equity, justice, and peace. Continue reading   →

Speech of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process during the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, October 15, 2012One person in this room never gave up hope. From day one of his leadership he seized the peace, forged and hammered it and polished it to its sterling radiance. His mother, our beloved President Corazon C. Aquino, was known throughout the world as an icon of democracy. President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, from this day forward, shall be known as the president who made the Bangsamoro possible.. So many challenges await us, but the bridge of trust that spans this room is strong enough to withstand the trials ahead, however difficult they may be. Never again shall we allow that bridge to be undermined, weakened, or destroyed by the forces of greed, avarice, and envy. Continue reading   →

Speech of the Chairman of the MILF during the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, October 15, 2012Today, we are here to celebrate a victory for the Bangsamoro people and the Filipino nation that is shared by the international community and the Muslim world, the victory earned not by war but by that collective desire tempered by the inner nobility of human nature to restore justice and peace to a troubled land. Today, we are here to put an end to the adversarial relationship between the Bangsamoro and the Philippine nation and what makes this more significant and quite touching on our part is that this is happening under the administration of President Noy-Noy Aquino whose martyred father, Senator Ninoy Aquino, and mother, the late President Cory Aquino fought on the same side of the fence with

us against the dictatorship that devastated our homeland and the lives of thousands of our people. Continue reading   →

Speech of the Prime Minister Najib of Malaysia during the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, October 15, 2012Ladies and gentlemen, for decades, Malaysia has been home to those who sought refuge from this conflict. Thousands fled in search of safety. Generations have grown up on our shores. Far from the land of their ancestors. It is our abiding hope that the agreement gives them a homeland again. For Mindanao, there can be no more lost generations. So I give my assurance to all the people of the Philippines—we will stand with you to make this agreement work. Continue reading→

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President Benigno S. Aquino III announced the landmark Framework Agreement between the Philippine Government and the MILF on October 7, 2012:  Read the President’s speech.

The closing statement of Marvic Leonen, Panel Chair for talks with the MILF, during the 32nd GPH-MILF Formal Exploratory Talks on October 7, 2012: Read it.

Joint Communiqué of the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front during the 32nd Formal Exploratory Talks: Read it.

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Proposed TerritoryThis is a map highlighting the areas included in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Political Entity. However, these areas may opt not to join the Bangsamoro (see FAQs). For the sake of comparison, view this map highlighting the proposed territory under the 2008 MOA-AD.

Map courtesy of OPAPP

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Background Material

The Tripoli AgreementSigned on December 23, 1976, in Tripoli, Libya, the agreement was between representatives of the Government of the Philippines and the representatives of

the Moro National Liberation Front.

Final Peace Agreement with the MNLFSigned on September 2, 1996, in Manila, Philippines the agreement effectively ended the Moro National Liberation Front’ rebellion against the Philippine

government.

Memorandum of Agreement – Ancestral Domain, Bangsamoro Juridical EntityInitially signed on July 27, 2008, it was scheduled to be formally signed on August 5, 2008. However, it was stopped by the Supreme Court on August 4, 2008 by virtue of a temporary retraining order. It was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on October 14, 2008.

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