Bangsamoro bill passage remains on track, says Aquino

President Benigno Aquino III is looking at the bright side of the rough sailing passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Congress, saying the measure remains on track despite threats of killing it following the Mamasapano debacle three months ago.

In an interview over Bombo Radyo on Thursday, the President said the draft BBL remained on track, with the “schedule promised” by the Congress toward its passage still being followed.

Mr. Aquino says it is a “positive development” that the schedule for the passage of the bill is being discussed, unlike “a few weeks ago” when critics are calling to an end to the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and there is a palpable distrust of the Moro rebels.

“Based on what the leadership of Congress promised me, especially in the House [of Representatives], it appears they are on schedule,” the President said.

He said he disagreed with Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the House ad hoc committee on the BBL, that the measure could be approved by June 15.

“Wait, why would it be in June? It’s only May. It’s not even May 15. [The BBL passage] is really following the schedule promised me,” the President said.

Ending the war in Central Mindanao, which has stunted the economic and social development of its people, is one of the cornerstones of the Aquino administration.

The establishment of a new Bangsamoro autonomous region is at the heart of the peace agreement between the government and the MILF, which has given up its separatist movement.

Passage of the BBL by Congress is necessary to create the Bangsamoro region that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), established under the 1996 peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Faithful to Constitution

President Aquino also maintained the proposed BBL had been faithful to the 1987 Constitution.

“From what I understand, what the consultative council showed us is a refinement of the language used [in the bill] to make the provisions very clear. We are not changing the intent but we will improve how it is said to make it very, very clear,” Mr. Aquino said in Filipino.

The President was referring to the peace council comprised of respected leaders in society, which he initiated as one of the efforts by the government to address the criticisms on the peace process with the MILF.

Mr. Aquino said former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., who led the council, had clarified the BBL was “constitutionally sound and defensible.”

On the several proposed amendments to the draft BBL, the President said it was understandable that many people would want to be included in history, as this piece of legislation is a “historical document.”

The Chief Executive also said the draft BBL should be viewed in its proper context, and as such, would help people understand why a “watered down” version of it would be unacceptable.

The proposed BBL cannot be viewed as a “stand alone” document but instead should be understood with respect to the many years of negotiation with the MILF, President Aquino said.

“How can we say that we succeeded if it is a diluted victory?” he said.

The President said there was already an acknowledgment that Central Mindanao had been left behind and there was a “need for an additional push” to allow the provinces in this region to catch up with the rest of the country.

“If we really care about them, and they will become our partner, it cannot be that their capability to catch up with the rest of the country would be inadequate,” Mr. Aquino said.

A statement from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) cited 2012 data from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) which said areas in the ARMM posted the “highest poverty incidence among families in the country’s 17 regions.”

The NSCB data showed that in 2012, Lanao del Sur posted the highest poverty incidence at 68.9 percent followed by Maguindanao at 57.8 percent.