Palace optimistic with BBL despite challenges

Malacañang on Saturday said it was positive that the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) won’t simply be stalled in Congress despite the controversies stemming from the botched Mamasapano operation.

“We have faced challenges in the past when it comes to the peace process … we remain optimistic that the discussion remains on the table and that it will be given attention by our legislators,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over state-run radio Radyo ng Bayan.

A draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law lies unread on a table at the House of Representatives. LYN RILLON/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Valte said they continued to hope that the discussions would help push the BBL forward.

The BBL, which seeks to create a political entity based on the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is among the priority measures being deliberated in Congress.

However, after the Mamasapano mission, which left 44 policemen, 17 MILF fighters and three civilians dead, the BBL has become an even more contentious topic.

Critics of the peace process and the MILF have taken the opportunity to point out controversial provisions. Some have also claimed that the MILF, which was among the groups involved in the misencounter with policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, is not sincere in pursuing peace with the national government.

While the government continues to dismiss fears that the new political entity will not serve the interests of other stakeholders, the MILF warned that a breakdown in the peace negotiations would result in more problems for the country.

Valte pointed out that if the peace process prospers, the government would be able to reach areas in Mindanao that have long been mired in conflict and poverty.

“We want, at the soonest possible time, to be able to reach these people and to allow development to come in in these areas,” she said.

She said that despite emotions running high and others opposing the peace process, the government will continue to explain and push for the passage of the BBL.

She said it was an important step in achieving peace.

Valte also dismissed reports that the Bangsamoro political entity will be as powerful as the national government. RC