On changes in BBL, Palace tells MILF: ‘Let debates happen’

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

After the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rejected the changes in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), a Palace official on Saturday said coming up with a “workable and operational” measure will require legislation to take its course.

Reacting to the statement of MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal that the proposed changes in the BBL were “unacceptable,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said concerns regarding the measure should be discussed in the proper platform, which is the legislature.

READ: MILF rejects changes in proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

“That is why the bill that is being deliberated has to be deliberated. It requires the legislative mill to take its course,” Lacierda said.

“The concerns of all the stakeholders–whatever they are–they have to be discussed because we are going through the legislative process, which is the role of the legislative branch,” he added.

Noting the importance of a BBL that will be “acceptable to all,” Lacierda said the MILF can air their concerns in the plenary debates.

“So kung may concerns ang MILF, meron na kaming mga suggested amendments po na ginagawa. All that will have to be threshed out in the plenary, in the Senate and in the House floor,” Lacierda said.

“Let’s allow the debates to happen, so that we can come up with a workable, operational, and a BBL that will be acceptable to all,” he added.

Iqbal on Friday called the proposed changes in the measure that would create a new Bangsamoro entity in Muslim Mindanao as “unacceptable,” but added that the MILF will continue to appeal to lawmakers to pass the proposed BBL despite delays. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/IDL