Alan Cayetano: BBL tailored for MILF

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday said that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law has been drafted to favor the interests of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

During the Senate hearing on the BBL here, Cayetano scored Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles and chief of the government negotiating panel with the MILF Miriam Coronel Ferrer for saying that all Moro groups have been consulted during the process of drafting the BBL.

“I am wondering because when Secretary Deles and Chairperson Ferrer speak before the Senate, they say that it took the BBL four years (to be drafted) because everyone was consulted. But I have been reading the minutes of Sen. Marcos’ hearings, and most of the groups outside the MILF, every time they speak, they say that it is their first time to speak and to be consulted,” Cayetano said.

“The BBL is tailor-fit for the MILF. Those from Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi have different views on the BBL,” he added.

Meanwhile, he also took a swipe against President Benigno Aquino III for allocating billions for the proposed Bangsamoro entity but “very little” to other provinces.

“All funds have been earmarked to Manila and some areas outside it are living in poverty. I am wondering why the Palace chose to allocate a big amount for the BBL but it is not prepared to do such in other areas,” he said.

Ferrer has earlier clarified that the special development fund to the Bangamoro, which will be shouldered by the central government, amounts to P7 billion for the first year following the ratification of the BBL.

In the draft law, the special development fund to the Bangsamoro is “for rehabilitation and development purposes upon ratification.”

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