Santiago questions peace deal

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago questioned the peace framework agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine Government because it requires amendments to the Constitution that were specified by foreign entities.

She said that the Bangsamoro entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will be running under a parliamentary form of government, different from the current system of government.

Santiago told reporters Monday that it was a “completely independent state” that will need amendments to the Constitution.

She said there will be an “asymmetric relationship” between the government and the Bangsamoro in which the latter will have powers similar to the national government except self-defense, foreign policy, monetary policy, etc.

Santiago added that Bangsamoro should have been called a dependent state instead of a substate because there was no such term.

If Congress were to fail in amending the Constitution, the framework agreement will fail and the government of the Philippines will be held liable, Santiago said

She also said she was worried by the fact that foreign entities were “imposing amendments to our Constitution.”

“Since when did foreign entities have the power to impose amendments?” Santiago asked.

She said that amendments to the Constitution should not be a subject of foreign negotiations.