No alternative to BBL, says ex-chief Justice Davide
FORMER Chief Justice Hilario Davide on Monday told the House of Representatives that there is no alternative to the proposed Bangsamoro basic law, adding that the bill can instead be refined to save it from constitutional loopholes.
During the ad hoc Bangsamoro committee hearing, Davide said the bill is already an amenable document to create a more politically autonomous Bangsamoro region to replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Davide responded to a question asked by Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop if the peace council, of which Davide is a member, sees an alternative to the BBL.
“The BBL is a very good law, but some refinements are needed… We’ve undergone a long process already. It would be preposterous to propose an alternative… At least we have tried to eliminate what is perceived as somehow in violation of the Constitution,” Davide said.
Acop then asked the former Chief Justice if he thinks instead of the BBL, the existing law that created the ARMM or Republic Act 9054 can be amended or improved. The Organic Act of the ARMM will be repealed by the BBL to replace the ARMM.
Davide responded: “I find myself in a very tight situation.”
“Life is an experiment and even if the matter of legislations, we try to find out how to improve it. There are two ways to improve a measure, one an amendment, and second a new law,” Davide said.
“If I were to make a choice, a new law would be much better,” he added.
The House panel is conducting its last public hearing on the bill Monday. It is set to vote for its passage between May 11 and 12.
President Aquino called for the creation of the peace council, composed of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Howard Dee and Muslim Princess Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman.
The council of leaders from seven sectors would help the public understand the peace process, and consequently the Bangsamoro bill, which seeks to implement the peace deal with the MILF to create a more politically autonomous Bangsamoro entity. AC
