Catholic bishop warns against hasty passage of BBL

MANILA Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo urged Malacañang on Sunday not to pressure lawmakers into hastily passing the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

In an interview with reporters, Pabillo also called on the members of the House of Representatives to study the proposed law carefully.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

“The passage of the BBL should not be rushed. It should be studied carefully for the common good of all stakeholders,” said Pabillo, also the chair of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)-Permanent Committee on Public Affairs.

Malacañang has expressed hope the BBL would be passed before the Congress’ adjournment on June 11. The measure, once approved, is being seen as a legacy of the Aquino administration.

“Why rush just to pass it by June if they are really serious in pursuing peace? Peace will never come out merely because of a piece of paper. It might even be complicated. All groups concerned should be given the opportunity to be heard because this is a concern not only of Mindanao but of the entire country,” Pabillo said.

“Which is more important, a legacy or real peace? Kahit may legacy na nakasulat pero hindi naman nagdala ng totoong kapayapaan, wala rin yun (Even if there is legacy on paper but if it does not bring peace, it’s nothing),” he added.

“The measure should be improved to ensure that it will be just for all. Let’s look for the real solution to our problem, one that will be good for the whole country,” Pabillo said.

Meanwhile, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo said the draft BBL could not ensure peace but it would be an “alternative” for all stakeholders who have become fed up with the wars in Southern Philippines.

Quevedo said BBL would not end all armed conflict due to “rido” or land disputes and small groups would continue to fight for secession.

“But the BBL is the alternative for the greatest majority of the Bangsamoro and for our own military and security forces who are tired of war,” Quevedo said in an article posted on CBCP News.

“It is the alternative to radicalization and extremism now spreading towards Southeast Asia and creeping into our shores,” he said.

Quevedo said the fate of the BBL has been placed in the hands of the lawmakers whose legislative role should be “eminently one of peacemaking.”

The legislators, he said, could choose between two options: either ignore the 17 years of peacemaking efforts by emasculating the BBL or strengthen it.

“To approve a BBL that is lesser than the Organic Act of the ARMM and falls short of self-determination as liberally granted by the Constitution is to perpetuate social injustice and human underdevelopment,” he said.

“To approve a BBL, strengthened by legislative wisdom, and preserving substantively the letter and spirit of the proposed BBL leads to social justice, peace and human development,” Quevedo added.

Quevedo is among the vocal supporters of the BBL in the Catholic hierarchy. SFM/AC

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