SC won’t stop Bangsamoro deal

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has rejected an appeal to stop the implementation of the government’s Bangsamoro framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The SC public information office announced yesterday that the justices decided in full-court session Tuesday not to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) sought in the separate petitions filed by Elly Pamatong and his group called International Ministries for Perfect and Party Against Communism and Terrorism Inc. (Imppact).

Instead, the high court ordered the public respondents, including President Aquino and members of the government peace panel headed by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, to answer the petitions. Through the Office of the Solicitor General, they were given 10 days from receipt of notice to comply with the order.

Leonen had earlier vowed to inhibit in any petition in the high court questioning the framework deal signed last Oct. 15.

The petitions, which questioned the constitutionality of the agreement, were filed even before the assailed peace deal became final with the attachment of annexes and final signing by the parties.

The petitioners said the government peace panel committed grave abuse of discretion, saying the Constitution only provides for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the creation of a “Bangsamoro” is unconstitutional.