File photo of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim
COTABATO CITY – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim expressed confidence that the regional government can withstand any legal challenges filed against the proposed Bangsamoro Local Governance Code.
This was the reaction of Ebrahim on the petition from three provincial governors questioning the constitutionality of the BLGC.
“Although the Government of the Day is confident that the version approved by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament can withstand any legal challenges, we acknowledge that the petitioners are all well within their democratic rights as citizens of the country and residents of the autonomous region,” he said in a statement Thursday.
“Government of the Day” refers to the BARMM chief minister, his Cabinet members, and BTA members.
Ebrahim said the legal challenge is proof that the vibrancy of democracy is very much alive in the BARMM and “that all groups and sectors can participate in nation-building and assert their respective suggestions during the transition period.”
On Feb. 26, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Mariam Mangudadatu, and Lanao Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong have asked the Supreme Court to declare the BLGC “unconstitutional and invalid.”
The petition claimed that the BLGC is riddled with provisions that violate the Constitution, the Local Government Code, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and the constitutionally guaranteed local autonomy of LGUs.
“We shall submit to the wisdom of the High Court and will ensure that we comply with whatever their decision is,” said Ebrahim, even as he called upon the petitioners to collaborate with the BARMM government for the benefit of the people. (PNA)
