The preamble of the Constitution proclaims the qualities of equality, peace, and justice in the creation of a just and

humane society. However, the Moro peoples of the Philippines have been seeking these same qualities ever since the creation of this nation. This quest for peace has led to years of bloodshed for both Filipinos and Moros. The creation of Bangsomoro allows them to achieve these qualities within the framework of both their religious and cultural beliefs as well as the constitution. A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed; this is the very denotation of a constitution. The Philippine constitution is the manifestation of the power and will of the people and the government. Article X, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution upholds the creation of autonomous regions, Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras. This gives them sovereignty in their region and implements the ideals of democracy. Section 18 states that the Congress shall enact an organic act for each autonomous region with the assistance and participation of the regional consultative commission composed of representatives appointed by the President from a list of nominees. The Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, RA 6734 and RA 9054 set the bounds for any local government established by this autonomous region. Order within the autonomous regions will be the task of the local police but the defense of the entire nation including these autonomous regions will be in the hands of the Philippine government; wherein the Bangsomoro Framework agrees upon. As specified by Section 17 of Article X, the powers, functions, and responsibilities of the autonomous regions are delimited by the Constitution and the Organic Act. Furthermore, Section 20 expands on this by specifying the provision of legislative powers to the autonomous region, namely: administrative organization; creation of sources of revenues; ancestral domain and natural resources; personal, family and property relations; regional urban and rural planning development; educational policies; preservation and development of the cultural heritage; and other such matters. Under the supervision of the former dean of UP Law, Marvic Leonen, the Bangsomoro Framework Agreement has been carefully crafted as to remain within the bounds of the Constitution, and states that the commitments made by the government are within the parameters of the Constitution. Previous attempts at giving self-determination and autonomy have failed due to constitutional issues. These failures have shaped this current framework so as to avoid these pitfalls. The combined leadership of Dean Leonen and the oversight of public criticism will ensure that the framework continues to develop along constitutional lines. This understanding of the process to constitutionally create the Bangsomoro region will put this country on the road to peace. As Albert Einstein said, Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.