Pass BBL to push peace process – Palace

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Pass BBL to push peace process – Palace
Malacañang hopes that the next Congress will prioritize the national interest in pursuing the peace process in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines – It will be to the national interest to pursue the peace process via the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Presidential communications secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in an interview with state-run radio dzRB on Saturday, May 21, the Palace hopes members of next Congress will prioritize the national interest when it decides on laws they will pass.

Earlier, Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez, expected to be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, said the push for federalism, a campaign platform of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, will render the BBL “moot”.

Kaya nauunawaan po natin ang ganyang debate at umaasa po tayo na sa pagpapasya nila, ‘yung mga miyembro ng Kongreso ang ilalagay sa unahan ay ‘yung pambansang interes. At sa akin lang pong opinyon, nasa pambansang interes na ituloy ang pagtulong sa prosesong pangkapayapaan,” said Coloma.

(We understand the debate, and we hope that in their decision, members of Congress would place national interest first. And in my opinion, it’s in the national interest to continue assisting in the peace process.)

Under federalism, regions and areas in the country will be self-governing, and will have more power over their finances, development plans, and laws exclusive to their jurisdiction. (READ: Will federalism address PH woes? Pros and cons of making the shift)

Alvarez was also quoted in reports as saying that all peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) “will be back to square one.”

Malacañang said it is up to Congress to tackle the BBL’s fate, given the separation of powers among the 3 branches of government. But Coloma suggested that Congress reconsider the BBL and give it another chance.

Kung ito naman ay bibigyan nila nang sapat na pagkakataon na mapag-aralan muli, marami na rin naman po ang magsasabi na puwede namang ikonsidera na ‘yung pagpapatuloy dito,” he said. (If this would be given an opportunity to be studied again, many have already been saying that continuing it can be considered.)

Coloma also urged Congress to study all options in pushing the peace process forward.

Ang masasabi na lang natin ay ‘yung pananawagan na pag-aralan mabuti at tiyakin na hindi mababalam ‘yung prosesong pangkapayapaan dahil malaki na rin po ang naging puhunan ng ating pamahalaan, ng ating sambayanan, gumugol na tayo nang maraming panahon at resources para mabuo ‘yung isinusulong na Bangsamoro Basic Law,” he continued.

(What we could say is to reiterate our call to study it carefully and make sure that the peace process will not be derailed, because a lot has been invested by the government and the Filipino people, and that we have spent a lot of time and resources to push the Bangsamoro Basic Law.)

The drafting of the BBL arose from the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed between the Philippine government and the MILF in March 2014.

The BBL faced intense scrutiny in Congress through a series of public hearings and committee debates.

In 2015, the proposed bill was put in jeopardy, following the Mamasapano incident in Maguindanao in late January, where 60 persons died, including 44 elite cops who clashed with Muslim rebels. – Michael Bueza/Rappler.com

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