SC asked to scrap petitions against FAB, CAB

MANILA, Philippines – A member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel on Tuesday requested the Supreme Court to junk the petitions filed against the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

MILF peace panel senior member and former lawmaker Datu Michael Mastura submitted an 82-page urgent omnibus motion for leave to intervene before the SC in favor of the FAB and CAB due to lack of merit.

Mastura opposed the petitions which question the constitutionality of FAB and CAB. These were filed by the Philippine Constitution Association and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colminares, among others.

The petitioner pushed for the dismissal of the petitions citing that the Bangsamoro Basic Law’s crafting must be put in order to continue peace process so that the FAB and CAB will serve as a transition stage until the conduct of the plebiscite for the BBL.

According to reports, Mastura also asked the SC to pave the way for each Muslim to have a self identity under the "common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage," provided for in Section 15, Article 10 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.