Davao trader denies claims he’s `bagman’ in payoff scheme for BBL approval

DAVAO CITY – The chair of the Mindanao Business Council (MBC) has decried as demolition job claims that he was acting as “money bagman” in the supposed payoff to members of Congress in exchange for the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Vicente Lao told reporters here that text messages have been circulating in the business circles claiming that Malaysia had given him money to bribe lawmakers into supporting the BBL.

“Wag natin payagan mapasa ang Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Ang Mindanao ay para sa buong bansa at sa lahat ng Pilipino. May balitang magkakabayaran sa Congress. P200 milyon sa bawat senador at P50 milyon sa bawat congressman ipasa lang ang BBL. Galing ang pera sa Malaysia na pinadaan kay Vicente Lao, isang AAA contractor sa Mindanao at vice chairman ng Mindanao Dev Council, Pls pass,” a particular text message that Lao showed to reporter reads.

(Let’s not allow the approval of the BBL. Mindanao is for the whole country and all Filipinos. There are rumors about payoffs in Congress. P200 million for each senator and P50 million for each congressman just so they will pass BBL. The money will come from Malaysia and coursed through Vicente Lao, a AAA contractor in Mindanao and vice chairman of the Mindanao Dev Council. Please pass.)

Lao said he never received any Malaysian money and that he was never involved in such efforts as payoffs.

“Although the claim is not only false but incredible to believe on its face, I am constrained to make this public denial to put to rest this ridiculous imputation,” he said.

Lao, who described the allegation as “scurrilous text message” said he is now verifying the source of the text.

The MBC chair has always been very vocal about his support to the BBL.

In previous statements, he said the areas covered by the proposed Bangsamoro entity are rich in natural resources that could flourish if fully developed.

“The January 25 bloody incident in Mamasapano, Maguindanao should not be the cause to derail the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in Congress,” Lao had said in past interviews.

“While we express serious concern on the possible consequences of the recent tragic incident, we maintain our support for the peace process,” he said.

Lao also acknowledged that the early stages of the establishment of the Bangsamoro will be a difficult process, but pointed out that despite growing pains, the early days of Bangsamoro’s peace will still trump conditions of war.

“We can start from here. Perhaps this will be the way to push Mindanao further forward towards progress,” he said.