B.

Is the definition of the Bangsamoro core territory, contihguos territory, inland

waters, and Bangsamoro waters in Sections 2-6 valid? Can local government units
join the Bangsamoro even when the bigger (province) unit they belong to have
voted no in previous referendums? Is the procedure for joining the Bangsamoro for
contiguous areas constitutional? Are the definitions of inland and Bangsamoro
waters authorized by the Constitution?

Under the BBL territory ,The Bangsamoro territory is composed of the land mass,
maritime, terrestrial, alluvial and aerial domain. Section 1 expressly states that the
Bangsamoro territory remains part of the Philippines. Likewise, the draft Basic Law
provides that the Bangsamoro shall respect and adhere to the Philippines
international treaties and agreements. Thus, whatever power the Bangsamoro may
exercise over its territory must be consistent with and not contravene the countrys
international obligations and commitments (Article IV, Section 8). The local
government units that will comprise the Bangsamoro territory will be determined
through a plebiscite for the ratification of this Basic Law (Article XV, Section 3).
The Bangsamoro has jurisdiction over waters that extend up to 12 nautical miles
from the low-water mark of the coasts. This is referred to as the Bangsamoro
Waters where the Bangsamoro Government is granted certain rights over the
resources therein (Article III, Section 5).
Therefore section 2-6 of the Bangsamoro core territory is valid because BBL does
not create another government different part or independent part of the
Philippines but still Bangsamoro just recognized their rights of the land and and still
under Philippine sovereignty , territory , and control under Philippine Government in
which the President has general supervision to see that law are faithfully executed
by the president. All the provisions under the BBL is in accordance and authorized ,
under by the constitution but need to seek constitutional amendment,
The relationship between the National and Bangsamoro Governments shall be
asymmetric. It is asymmetric because it is distinct from the relationship between
the National Government and other local government units. Specifically, the 1987
Philippine Constitution (Article X, Section 20) confers the Bangsamoro Government,
as an autonomous region, legislative powers over such matters as administrative
organization and ancestral domainwhich are not granted to local government
units. However, similar to local government units, the Presidents power of general
supervision remains (Article VI, Sections 1, 3 )
The National and Bangsamoro Governments accept the concept of devolution as
inspired by the principles of subsidiarity. The provinces, cities, municipalities,
barangays, and geographic areas within its territory shall be the constituent units of
the Bangsamoro. The privileges already enjoyed by the local government units
within the Bangsamoro under existing laws shall not be diminished unless otherwise

altered, modified, or reformed for good governance in a law to be enacted by the

Bangsamoro Parliament (Article VI, Sections 6, 7). To ensure mutual cooperation and
cohesion between the Bangsamoro Government and its constituent LGUs, a Council
of Leaders shall likewise be established (Article VI, Section 5).
the plebiscite for the creation of the Bangsamoro shall be conducted in (a) the
present geographical area of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; (b) the
Municipalities of Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangkal in the
province of Lanao del Norte and all other barangays in the Municipalities of
Kabacan, Carmen, Aleosan, Pigkawayan, Pikit and Midsayap that voted for inclusion
in the ARMM during the 2001 plebiscite; (c) the cities of Cotabato and Isabela; and
(d) all other contiguous areas where there is a resolution of the local government
unit or a petition of at least ten percent (10%) of the registered voters in the area
asking for their inclusion at least two months prior to the conduct of the ratification
of the Basic Law .
After the creation of the Bangsamoro, any contiguous local government unit or
geographic area outside the Bangsamoro may, by a verified petition filed by at least
10% of its registered voters, ask for its inclusion in the Bangsamoro and for the
conduct of a plebiscite for that purpose. Only the affected areas are only required
to join the referendums.