Pacquiao: Exclude Sarangani from Bangsamoro

Angela Casauay

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Pacquiao: Exclude Sarangani from Bangsamoro
The congressman says he supports the creation of the Muslim-dominated region, but including Sarangani in it might cause instability in his province

MANILA, Philippines – Boxer-lawmaker Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, representative of Sarangani, is in favor of the creation of the Bangsamoro autonomous region but is against the “potential” inclusion of Sarangani in the area.  

“I recognize the need to pass a law that will govern the area to ensure lasting peace and order which are the keys to economic prosperity and development in the region and throughout Mindanao,” he said.

Pacquiao participated in the initial stage of the House ad hoc committee voting on the proposed Bangsamoro basic law Monday, May 18, but left after a couple of hours.

In a statement released Tuesday, May 26, Pacquiao said there is no need to include Sarangani since there is already “relative peace and order in the province.” 

The lawmaker also warned that including Sarangani may even cause instability. 

Sarangani is not part of the core area of the Bangsamoro autonomous region.  

The proposed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region provides that a province or a city may opt to join the plebiscite for the region through a petition from at least 10% of voters – if it satisfies two criteria: 

1) If it is contiguous or shares a common land border with a Bangsamoro core area

2) If it is among the provinces included in the Tripoli Agreement

Under the House version, provinces or cities which would not be able to join the first plebiscite to ratify the law may opt to join the Bangsamoro through a petition 5 years and 10 years after the creation of the autonomous region. 

While an “opt-in” provision has been included, critics of the proposed law have assailed the lack of an option to “opt out” of the proposed region.

The Bangsamoro bill implements the peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front  signed after 17 years of negotiations. – Rappler.com

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