SC asked to junk petitions vs. FAB, CAB

MANILA -- A senior member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss the petitions against the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).MILF peace panel senior member and former lawmaker Datu Michael Mastura filed an urgent omnibus motion for leave to intervene before the SC in favor of the FAB and the CAB.In his 82-page petition, Mastura asked the SC to dismiss the petitions opposing the FAB and the CAB for lack of merit.The assailed petitions were filed by the Philippine Constitution Association (PHILCONSA), Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares, among others, questioning the constitutionality of the FAB and the CAB.Mastura argued that the crafting into law of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) should proceed in order to continue the peace process so that it will serve as a transition process until the conduct of the plebiscite for the BBL.The petitioner also asked the SC to pave the way for each Muslim to have a self identity based on the so-called common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage , which is provided for in Section 15, Article 10 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. (PNA)CTB/PTR