Manila, Philippines – Deputy Speaker Laisa Masuhud Alamia of the Bangsamoro Parliament has issued a statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) while excluding Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Alamia welcomed the affirmation of the BOL’s constitutionality but expressed deep concern over the exclusion of Sulu, describing it as a significant challenge to the Bangsamoro consciousness.
“The law is an expression of the general will of the people. With this in mind, we welcome the Supreme Court decision affirming the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law – a law that finds its origins in decades of negotiations spanning several administrations and centuries of struggle for the Bangsamoro people’s right to self-determination,” Alamia stated.
However, she noted that the exclusion of Sulu from the Bangsamoro region is a severance that cuts deep, necessitating urgent action to address the immediate concerns. “The exclusion of Sulu from the Bangsamoro region as outlined in the Supreme Court decision is a severance that cuts deep, and we must draw the sharpest line if we are to address the most immediate concerns with urgency,” she emphasized.
Alamia assured the people of Sulu that there would be no abrupt disruption of government services in the province. She highlighted the need to convene the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) to facilitate efficient coordination and cooperation in managing affairs related to Sulu. “The BARMM Regional Government has assured the people of Sulu that there will be no abrupt disruption of government services in the province, and service delivery will continue unless a clear order is issued,” she said.
While acknowledging that the Supreme Court decision is “immediately executory” on paper, Alamia pointed out that a period of transition is inevitable. She called for close coordination between the national government, the BARMM Regional Government, and the Provincial Government of Sulu to ensure the continuous delivery of basic social services and the implementation of programs and projects for the people of Sulu.
Alamia also expressed hope that the Bangsamoro region and Sulu could maintain economic and cultural ties, emphasizing their shared history and heritage. “Way before the Bangsamoro Organic Law was passed, even before the first of the peace agreements were signed, we had already established a shared identity and pursued a common goal,” she noted.
As a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament with Tausug roots, Alamia conveyed her pride in the strong sense of identity and justice among the people of Sulu. She pledged to continue honoring their ancestors and responding to the immediate needs of every Bangsamoro. “The Bangsamoro Organic Law would not have been realized without our brothers and sisters, especially our mujahideen and mujahidat from Sulu, and we pledge to continue honoring our ancestors as we respond to the most immediate needs of every Bangsamoro,” she affirmed.
In closing, Alamia reiterated her commitment to listening to the people and supporting the communities of Sulu. “We will continue to listen as the conversation continues, and we will continue to serve and support the people of Sulu not just as constituents but as communities that raised us in courage and faith,” she concluded.
This ruling marks a critical juncture for the Bangsamoro region as its leaders and people navigate the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision and strive to uphold unity and progress.
