MANILA, Philippines – A constitutionalist and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman on Wednesday joined Malacañang officials in saying that there was no need to amend the Constitution to accommodate the preliminary peace deal for Mindanao, saying that what was needed was a new “organic law” on the autonomous region.
“There is no need for a constitutional amendment. What we need is to enact a new organic law on the autonomous region,” Christian Monsod, said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer’s Erwin Aguillon.
Monsod noted that the agreement showed that there was a way to end the conflict in Mindanao and that the secessionist idea is no longer being sought by the Bangsamoro.
He also said that he believes that the deal did not violate any international law, saying that it would be subjected to a democratic process under the plebiscite and people would be given a chance to voice out their opinions on the deal.