Sen. Francis Escudero said on Monday he and Sen. Grace Poe would not become obstructionists against the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, and would work to make it constitutional.
Escudero sought to clarify reports quoting them as saying in Koronadal that they were not for the measure.
According to Escudero, they told the crowd in Koronadal that they would fulfill their duty as senators to scrutinize the bill, just like any other proposed legislation, to ensure that it would not violate the country’s charter. They emphasized the importance of weeding out the unconstitutional provisions and make the measure strong enough to withstand any legal challenge.
“We will not allow any legislation that would go against the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land. We must follow the Constitution,” he said in a statement.
He said he and Poe would like to see lasting peace for Mindanao.
“We would like to assure the public that Senator Poe and I are one with the Filipino people in their aspiration for a just and lasting peace in Mindanao. We join them in every step in seeking solutions that will bring not only peace but also prosperity to all our brothers and sisters in the region,” he said.
The draft BBL is a product of the historic peace agreement between the Aquino administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It would provide for the creation of a new Bangasmoro region, to reflect the Moro aspiration for self-determination.