Bangsamoro ‘bloc grant’ not ‘pork barrel,’ peace council tells House

MEMBERS of the Peace Council formed to study the proposed Bangsamoro basic bill (BBL) defended the block grant to the Bangsamoro region, saying it is not a “pork barrel” and not an excessive cost to government coffers that could amount to P75 billion.

During the Bangsamoro ad hoc hearing Monday, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide said the block grant is only a share of the Bangsamoro region in the national taxes and not a patronage tool like a pork barrel.

The congressional pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) was scrapped when the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional following a corruption scandal that resulted in the detention of three senators, two former representatives and accused mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

“As regards the fiscal autonomy provisions, we do not find any constitutional infirmity in the provisions of the BBL. The block grant is not akin to the PDAF that was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The block grant referred to in the BBL is similar to the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) under the Local Government Code,” Davide said.

The grant, equivalent to four percent of the net national internal revenue collection sans the internal revenue allotment (IRA), is an automatic appropriation for the Bangsamoro meant to help financially the newly created entity until it is capable of standing on its own feet.

For his part, former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cielito Habito, representing peace council member business tycoon Jaime Zobel De Ayala, said the block grant only amounts to P10.5 billion and not P70 billion to P75 billion that was alleged by some lawmakers.

“The incremental cost to the national government amounts to P10.5 billion… (and not) P70 to 75 billion which has been floated about,” Habito said.

He added that the block grant is intended to help the Bangsamoro region to rise itself from poverty, especially as it is lagging behind in human development.

Habito also said there is a dire need to improve the economy of the Mindanao region, adding that if the Moro region succeeds, it would be an example to Myanmar and Thailand, which are also faced with secessionist movements.

“There are tremendous opportunities in the Bangsamoro region, once we get the economy going. Bangsamoro government could be a model for regional autonomy, especially in Thailand and Myanmar who are both facing secessionist challenges. The Bangsamoro can be a greater significance for the Asean region,” he said.

The House panel is conducting its last public hearing over the bill Monday. It is set to vote for its passage between May 11 and 12.

President Benigno Aquino III called for the creation of the peace council, composed of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Howard Dee and Muslim Princess Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman.

The council of leaders from seven sectors would help the public understand the peace process, and consequently the Bangsamoro bill, which seeks to implement the peace deal with the MILF to create a more politically autonomous Bangsamoro entity. AC