Senators split on Aquino’s offer to discuss BBL
SENATORS are split over President Benigno Aquino III’s offer to discuss with senators their reservations about the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) though some felt they were being rushed to approve it.
BACKSTORY: Aquino open to dialogue with senators on BBL
“We welcome the statement of the President that he is willing to sit down with the senators to discuss the BBL. However, we would like to see first the committee report in order that we will know how far would be the disagreements insofar as the senators are concerned,” Senate President Franklin Drilon told reporters on Tuesday.
Drilon was referring to the Senate committee on local government being headed by Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., which is still hearing the BBL.
“In other words, to me today we find it premature, but certainly at the point when the opinions of the senator or the differences in the opinions have framed up, and we see a wide divergence in the views, then we would welcome sitting down with the President as the political leader of this country, to see where we can [reconcile],” he said.
The Senate leader also said there was nothing unusual with the President’s offer, saying the intention of the meeting was to reconcile whatever differences the senators have on the BBL. He dispelled speculations that the meeting was meant to sway the senators to support the BBL.
Drilon could not say, however, if the BBL could still be approved before Congress adjourns sine die on June 11.
Marcos, on his part, said he is willing to talk to anyone, including Aquino, to iron out the kinks in the proposed BBL but not if it was only meant to “muscle” the Senate into passing Malacañang’s version of BBL.
“As I said before, if we are going to discuss with the President the various issues directly related to BBL and if he has suggestions for us we would certainly listen because his inputs are important,” he said in a statement,
“But it’s another matter entirely if it’s only for political maneuvering, as what was done with the House of Representatives. Then, I don’t think I should be part of that; I don’t want to be involved in anything like that,” he added.
Marcos said his committee is doing its best to ensure that the BBL version it would recommend would stand any constitutional challenge.
“That’s what we are doing and it’s not an easy process. So, why are we being rushed? There is no deadline in the law, there is no deadline in the Framework Agreement, there was no deadline anywhere but suddenly there was this June 11 deadline,” he said.
Like Marcos, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero was also willing to sit down with the President, saying it would be an opportunity to discuss the issue.
Escudero assured that the senators would not be rushed into railroading the proposed legislation.
BACKSTORY: Duterte warns Aquino on rushing BBL
“We will not railroad the BBL. We will and should pass a correct and constitutional BBL, not a rushed one,” he said in a separate text message.
“While I appreciate the President’s offer, it highlights the fact that the OPAPP has not been doing or is not doing its job which is why the President himself is offering to do it for them…” he further said. Opapp is the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
But the President’s offer did not sit well with at least two opposition senators.
“The President should just attend to the other problems of our people and let us senators do our job in scrutinizing the BBL,” Binay said in a text message.
“Hindi pala kinausap ng OPAPP ang lahat ng sector sa paggawa ng BBL kaya napakahalaga na kami sa Senado ay mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagsalita silang lahat. Bakit ba nagmamadali?” Binay asked.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said the President should not talk to the senators just to get what he wants, which is the passage of the BBL.
“Legislators should be given space and be allowed to deliberate on a very controversial measure like the BBL. It would be better if we are left alone,” Ejercito added.
Senator Sergio Osmeña III was not also inclined to sit down with the President lest he be accused of getting favors or “pork barrel” funds in exchange of his support for the BBL.
BACKSTORY: ‘Goodies’ may be dangled to get senators’ support for BBL – Osmeña
Besides, Osmeña expressed doubts if the President could address the concerns of the senators when he himself is not an expert on the BBL. AC
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