Chiz Escudero explains comment on BBL

Sen. Francis Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday said that he and Sen. Grace Poe were not against the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) but only wanted to ensure that it would not contain unconstitutional provisions.

Escudero sought to clarify reports quoting him and Poe as saying in Koronadal that they were not in favor of the controversial measure.

What he and Poe said was that it was their duty as senators to scrutinize the bill, just like any other proposed legislation, to ensure that it does not violate the Constitution, Escudero said.

He stressed that it was important to weed out the unconstitutional provisions so the measure could withstand any legal challenge.

“We will not allow any legislation that would go against the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land,” he said in a statement.

He said that he and Poe want 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 with 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.–Leila Salaverria