Peace Council meets on BBL; convenors named
“The hard work begins after the BBL is passed.”
This was said by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as he welcomed the convenors of the Peace Council’s first meeting last April 6.
President Benigno Aquino III earlier called on “citizen leaders” to review the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
The convenors are Archbishop Soc Villegas, Fr. Joel Tabora, Bishop Pablo David, Ms. Amina Rasul, Atty. Christian Monsod, Dean Sedfrey Candelaria, Dean Danilo Concepcion, Prof. Moner Bajunaid, Ms. Pat Sarenas, Atty. Nasser Marohomsalic, Dr. Cielito Habito, Mr. John Perrine, Dr. Wilfrido Villacorta, Bishop Tendero, Atty. Marlon Manuel, Dr. Wilfrido Villacorta. Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, and Ramon del Rosario.
They will join the original members who are Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, businessman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, former Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See and Malta Howard Dee, and founder of Teach Peace, Build Peace Movement Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman.
Zobel de Ayala said the group “is an independent body committed to helping the general public understand what is at stake in the BBL, identify contentious issues, and help find a path towards reconciling divergent views.”
Dee, meanwhile, said the “overarching goal is peace with justice and development in Muslim Mindanao: a political peace settlement that addresses the injustices inflicted on the Bangsamoro religious, cultural and political identity as a people, as after all, they had their political identity before there was a Philippine nation; the human development of the Bangsamoro people by restoring their human rights and freedom to reverse their economic and social marginalization which has resulted in their human poverty level that is about twice the national average; a process of cultural and spiritual healing to overcome the deep-seated prejudices that continue to divide our people.”
Mr. Aquino announced the creation of the Peace Council on the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
A statement from the Peace Council said they agreed to focus on the controversial BBL articles and organize clusters around the following broad topics: 1) constitutionality and forms and powers of government, to be chaired by Davide; 2) Justice, including social justice, and human development, to be co-chaired by Dee and Sumndad-Usman; 3) Economy and Patrimony, to be chaired by Zobel de Ayala and 4) Human Security.
In-depth sessions will be held in the coming days and they are expected to conclude by April 18. AU
