Top Mindanao trader decries BBL demolition job

DAVAO CITY—The chair of the Mindanao Business Council (MBC) has decried as a demolition job accusations that he was acting as “bagman” for a supposed payoff for legislators to ensure the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Businessman Vicente Lao told reporters here that text messages have been circulating in the business community claiming that Malaysia had given him money to bribe lawmakers into supporting the BBL.

The text, in Filipino, read: “Let’s not allow the Bangsamoro Basic Law to pass. Mindanao is for the entire country and all Filipinos. There are reports that money would change hands in Congress. P200 million for each senator and P50 million for each congressman just to pass BBL. The money comes from Malaysia coursed to Vicente Lao, an AAA contractor in Mindanao and vice chairman of Mindanao Dev Council. Pls pass.”

Lao said he never received any money from Malaysia and that he would never involve himself in payoffs.

“Although the claim is not only false but incredible to believe on its face, I am constrained to make this public denial to put to rest this ridiculous imputation,” he said.

Lao, who described the allegation as “scurrilous text messages” said he is now verifying the source of the text.

The MBC chair has always been very vocal about his support to the BBL.

In previous statements, he said areas covered by the proposed Bangsamoro entity are rich in natural resources that could flourish if fully developed.

“The January 25 bloody incident in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, should not be the cause to derail the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in Congress,” Lao had said in a previous interview. At least 44 police commandos, 17 Moro rebels and three civilians were killed during an operation to capture or kill international terrorist Marwan in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao.

“While we express serious concern on the possible consequences of the recent tragic incident, we maintain our support for the peace process,” Lao had said.

Lao also acknowledged that the early stages of the establishment of the Bangsamoro entity would be a difficult process, but that despite growing pains, “peace will still trump conditions of war.”

“We can start from here. Perhaps this will be the way to push Mindanao further forward toward progress,” he said. Judy Quiros, Inquirer Mindanao