Palace sees Congress support for Bangsamoro charter

By: TJ Burgonio - 11 years ago

The signing of the historic Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang is confident of getting bipartisan support in Congress for the timely approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that would create a new Bangsamoro region, officials said Friday.

The Transition Commission is set to submit the first draft of the proposed law to President Aquino by March 31.

“Thus far, we have statements of support not just from the administration allies, but also from those in the opposition. Hopefully, that will continue,’’ Palace spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a Malacañang news briefing.

Valte could not say if President Aquino would go to the extent of talking to each lawmaker to muster support for the bill, but said Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. were aware of its importance.

Drilon and Belmonte had predicted that the law would be enacted by year-end, to be followed by ratification in a plebiscite the following year.

“Both leaders of [Congress] realize how important the law is, and I believe both have been ardent supporters of the peace process, and hopefully they will continue to be partners in pushing for the basic law,’’ Valte said.

Besides, Valte said, the President has spoken extensively on the importance of the BBL, and this should serve notice to the senators and representatives.

“So the audience who has been frequently listening to the President would know that really it is something that the President is pushing for,’’ she said.

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, signed by the government and the MILF on Thursday, is the legal basis for the BBL.

On the day of the signing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Malacañang did not expect senators and representatives to spoil the deal when they tackle the draft BBL.

“First of all, they are Filipinos,’’ Coloma said when asked if Malacañang expected spoilers in Congress. “In Panatang Makabayan, are we not swearing that we will serve our country unselfishly and faithfully?’’

Besides, Coloma added, the lawmakers have also taken their oath before God and the Constitution to promote public welfare and development.

“That’s why they’ll do what is right to do their duty and responsibility,’’ he said.

After all, he said, the Transition Commission made sure that this complied with the provisions of the Constitution.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process would continue to engage lawmakers, civil society organizations, academicians and others to address their concerns about the CAB as a way of forging what the President called “principled consensus,’’ Valte said.

The call to every Filipino now is to read the agreement and its annexes “so we can have a good public discussion,’’ she said.

“We invite everyone to take the time to read the documents, and to follow the statements being made by the members of the peace panels and government officials. Though yesterday’s signing was a significant step, it is by no means the last. It is our hope that we move forward with confidence and without fear of the unknown,’’ she said.

In his speech during the signing, the President vowed to go all out in forging a “principled consensus for enduring security and prosperity.’’

He said he expected Congress’ deliberations to be “characterized by a sincere desire to improve on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, and not by self-interest that only aims to perpetuate an untenable status quo.’’

Responding to a senator’s statement that approving the draft BBL by year-end would be a miracle since this would require thorough scrutiny, Valte said the government was aware of the challenges ahead.

“We are cognizant of the challenges that are ahead of us, which is why the President also mentioned that there is still work that lies ahead; it does not end with the signing of the agreement yesterday. And we’re ready… to roll our sleeves up still to continue the work,’’ she said.