I

4'Y:USE:1M BAR ASSOC LiVil ON

OF TH E PH VIA PP N ES'
(MBA)

24 October, 2014

HON. RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

Chairman, Committee on Mindanao Affairs

House of Representative
Batasan Hills, Quezon, City, Metro Manila

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13y:
Date:
Time:

76

Dear Congressman,
I would like to inform you that the Muslim Bar Association of the Philippines, and
the Bangsa Moro Party are opposed to the proposed Bangsa Moro Basic Law.
This proposed law is not acceptable to us as Moros and as Muslims. The provisions
are pernicious- they destort Bangsa Moro history and a slur on Islam. This proposed
law is very clearly the product of ignorant and incompetent individuals.
Our opposition has been made clear to the Organization of Islamic Co-operation
(OIC) as well as to the Moro organizations which have manifested their support.
We know that this law will be passed by congress and will be approved in the
referendum. We know that this is a fait accompli.
We want to make it of record however at least for posterity our opposition to this
proposed law which will usher in more hardship and suffering to our people. The
military confrontations between the Moro fighters and the AFP will increase in
intensity and magnitude.
No law can ever be successful if it is entered in bad faith and the motives of the
parties involved show this bad faith.
Malaysia wants the Sabah claim to be completely dropped and forgotten.
This is Malaysia's interest in brokering this deal. President Aquino's motive is to
accommodate Malaysia so that Malaysia can continue accommodating Edward()
Cojuangco who has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Malaysian oil, arid

fourth Floor Ial-er Building i Eisenhower St. Greenhills San Juan City I'vietro-Manila Philippines Telephone NusaTrs
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Firstly it is not the recognized representative of the Bangsa Moro. This is however
insignificant now for the OIC has proven itself incapable and inutile. Second, the
present MILF leaders were not with the revolutionary movement in its early years
and some of them served the dictatorship all throughout.
What our people want is a Bangsa Moro Constitutional Convention which will be the
product of the Bangsa Moro through their chosen representatives from all the Moro
Sectors.
We hope you'll make this part of your record.
Sulta Firdausi I.Y. Abbas,Ph.D.
Chairman/President