MALACANANG has reiterated its hope for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to make it to the next level, and urged members of the House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee to “vote for peace” as they began voting on the proposed legislation.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said they are hoping that committee members would ‘vote for peace’ to help Mindanao achieve its much-needed progress and development.
“We reiterate our hope that the committee members will vote for peace, through which we can bring progress and development to Mindanao and better the lives of our countrymen,” Secretary Lacierda said.
But Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares and Zamboanga Rep. Celso Lobregat seemed to be determined to block the new version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) drafted in Malacañang on Sunday.
Colmenares and Lobregat were reportedly surprised that another draft was presented on Monday as members of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee started voting on the amendments.
In an interview with Radyo ng Bayan, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said it is the administration’s aim to have a sound BBL passed by Congress that will champion the goals of the peace process.
“Nananalig kami na sa kanilang pagpapasya, isasaalang-alang ng ating mga mambabatas ang pambansang interes at ang kapakanan ng mga mamamayan sa buong Mindanao,” Secretary Coloma said.
The BBL is an offshoot of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the final peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed on March 27 last year.
It intends to establish a Bangsamoro political entity in the south with an enhanced basic structure of government, replacing the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which President Benigno S. Aquino III once described as a “failed experiment.”
At around 11 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, the members of the House Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro finished voting on the Bangsamoro Basic Law. They allowed 31 amendments. (Eagle News Service with PND report)
