Alliah Dominique M. Sta.

Ana July 19, 2018

BSMA 1-8 Mr. Erickson Calata

An Enlightenment to Our Curiosity about the Islamic Nation

I belong in the huge population of Luzon and for once, I got to experience living with a
Muslim neighbor. The memory of me being intimidated with their mere presence for they are
known to be sharp and brave crossed my mind as I listen to the discussion lead by Dr. Nassef M.
Adiong, the founder of International Relations and Islamic Studies Research Cohort and Philippine
International Studies Organization. He also authored, edited, and co-edited articles and edited
volumes of topics and issues about ‘Islam and International Relations’. No wonder he shared
various information in the forum. Moreover, it was enlightening to hear him correcting
misconceptions about the Islamic Nation such as emphasizing that Muslims do not colonize, they
conquer. Aside from that, Dr. Nassef M. Adiong also shared tidbits of Muslim’s history and
governance which were later on connected to the current news here in the Philippines, bringing
out the matter about the Bangsamoro Basic Law and Charter Change through Federalism. Hence,
it was about the formation of Muslim State in accordance with the Philippine Law.

In the Philippines, there is no existing Islamic state because just like the Catholic Church,
they wanted to be separated with the hands of the National Government and that freedom gives
them the privilege to have their own rules without having to consult with the superiors of the
government. This is the underlying reason why there is commotion in Mindanao that has been on-
going for so long. Maybe because the right given to them was abused to the point that they crave
to have power all over the place. In order to eradicate this turmoil, the Bangsamoro Basic Law was
proposed. BBL will set up a self-governing state with exclusive powers over a long list of matters
which a sovereign nation normally exercises. (Pascual, 2014) Until now, it hasn’t been accepted
and has undergone so many revisions. I think that many still doubt with approving this law and it
faced so many criticisms over the years that’s why it hasn’t been approved yet. Plus the fact that
it will give an exclusive right to the Muslims to have their power over their own territory seems
alarming and threatening because that implies that they no longer have to refer or look up to the
higher government.
 With this, the upbringing of Federalism to be our constitution rose up. As a matter fact, it
was actually in Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration when it was introduced to be a solution
but experts said that Arroyo just wanted to prolong her term that’s why it was not considered.
Now, a federal form of government was again proposed by our current President Rodrigo Duterto,
claiming that it could be an alternative instead of the Bangsamoro Basic Law that only focuses on
fixing the problem in Mindanao. Applying Federalism indicates a big change to the whole country.
Federalism is a type of government wherein sovereignty is constitutionally divided between the
national government and subdivisional governments such as states or provinces. It divides the
country into several autonomous states with a national government. (De La Cruz, 2018) This
pertains that it will be really different from the unitary form of government we have right now
wherein the central government is the highest governing power. Up to this date, the making of this
new proposed constitution is still on progress but for sure, just like the BBL, it will face several
criticisms.

We all long for a peaceful nation and these are just two probable solutions to end the chaos
in Mindanao that hurt our Muslim brothers and sisters. I honestly don’t know what’s better with
these two but one thing’s for sure, change should transpire. Dr. Adiong brought us clarification on
this matter and it made us think of our own insight. He wiped away our ignorance over this matter
by introducing us the Muslim concepts, breaking their common image which is Muslims being
called out as terrorists. The forum also tackled the relation of of Muslims to the LGBT Community
because it was asked by political science students. That was just a sign that Dr. Nassef Adiong set
fire to our curiosity.

In relation to present lesson in our subject, the formation of states varies on the situation,
if it is definitely needed or not. There are several different ways that countries and states can take
their shape and define their borders. Sometimes this is done peacefully or naturally when a group
of people decide to work together to make a society function. In this case, the disorder in Mindanao
triggered the government to think of making the vicinity be independent. I think that Social
Contract Theory is the most appropriate to relate in this situation because it is where the states are
formed by deliberate and voluntary compact among the people to form a society and organize
government for their common good.
References:

De La Cruz (2018). How federalism works: federal form of government in the Philippines,
explained. Retrieved from https://www.google.com.ph/amp/s/kami.com.ph/amp/2492-how-
federalism-works-federal-form-government-philippines-explained.html?espv=1

Pascual (2014). Why Bangsamoro bill should not pass. Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2014/09/14/1368884/why-bangsamoro-bill-should-not-pass