Palace undeterred by BBL ‘bad publicity’

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Malacañang is “reasonably confident” Congress will pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in June as it aims to complete the peace process despite the many challenges that have come up, including what the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) calls “bad publicity.”

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma on Sunday said the Palace was optimistic that with lasting peace in Mindanao in mind, “majority of the members of Congress will pass the BBL and continue the peace process.”

The BBL is part of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangasamoro between the government and the MILF aimed at ending the strife in Mindanao.

The BBL will repeal the laws that established the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and transfer the powers, assets and personnel of the ARMM to the new region called Bangsamoro.

In a text message, Coloma expressed optimism that with an intensified information campaign, the administration could put the BBL process back on track.

“To address the ‘bad publicity,’ correct information about the BBL is continually being provided by the administration with the help of stakeholders in the peace process,” he told the Inquirer.

During the weekly “Pilipinas, Pilipinas” public affairs program over state-run Radyo ng Bayan, Coloma asserted that President Aquino was determined to push the peace process.

“First, with the passage of the draft BBL in Congress, then its subsequent approval by majority of the people in Bangsamoro areas in a plebiscite and finally complete the peace process,” he said.

Widespread public anger and recriminations following the deaths of 44 Special Action Force commandos in the Jan. 25 clash with MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Justice for Islamic Movement guerrillas, and armed residents of Mamasapano town in Maguindanao have thrown the peace process in disarray.

Earlier, President Aquino expressed optimism the process would get back on track with the enlightenment of the public and Congress on the BBL, and with the help of a Palace-created peace council.

“This is the crossroads we face. We take pains to forge peace today, or we count body bags tomorrow,” Aquino had said in announcing the formation of the council.

Aquino has tasked the council with “dissecting the proposed law in a calm and reasonable manner that will not incite anger and hopelessness.”

“This way, the BBL can be improved,” he said.