MANILA, Philippines—A Mindanao representative accused a fellow lawmaker of imposing constitutional limitations on the Bangsamoro basic bill instead of focusing on passing it in the name of long-lasting peace in the conflict-stricken region.
During the House of Representatives ad hoc committee hearing on the measure Wednesday, Maguindanao and Cotabato City Representative Bai Sandra Sema blasted Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat for not “walking the talk” when the latter kept on criticizing the bill.
Lobregat had been opposing the bill on constitutional grounds, saying the bill seeks to repeal the Republic Act 9054, which created the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Cotabato City Representative Bai Sandra Sema. PHOTO from www.congress.gov.ph
Lobregat said the bill is effectively repealing the law, which is basically the constitution of the ARMM.
The region will be replaced with the Bangsamoro political entity upon the passage of the Bangsamoro bill that would repeal the ARMM law.
“You are now violating RA 9054. There is one existing organic act, which is the Constitution of the ARMM. We cannot just say let us change the Constitution. There are provisions how to change it,” Lobregat said.
This drew the ire of Sema and accused Lobregat of imposing limitations on the Bangsamoro bill.
“You will be the one to benefit because you’re already there, you’re in place there. Businessmen are already there. I think it is fair to say that we need your support. Not the kind of limitation you would like to impose,” Sema said.
“I hope you will walk the talk and not only issue statements,” she added.
Lobregat denied imposing hurdles to the passage of the bill.
“I would like to state that it is not we who are imposing limitations. Definitely, I am walking the talk,” said Lobregat, who had maintained that he is not against the bill.
Lobregat said he only wanted to fine-tune the bill for it to escape constitutional loopholes.
The recently submitted Bangsamoro bill seeks to implement the peace pact signed between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which hopes to end decades of Muslim secessionist movement in the region.
Once the bill is passed by Congress, the law must be ratified by the people in a plebiscite for the creation of a Bangsamoro political entity to replace the ARMM.
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