Palace backs CBCP call for a BBL ‘rooted in social justice’

FOLLOWING the call of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) “rooted in social justice,” Malacañang on Tuesday said the government shared the bishops’ vision of a lasting peace in Mindanao.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the government has a high regard for the principles and guidelines laid out by the CBCP in establishing a BBL that “achieves the self-determination” of the new Bangsamoro entity.

“Government shares the bishops’ primordial concern for social justice. This is why President Aquino convened a multi-sectoral Peace Council that adopted the position taken by 14 members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission on ‘the essential constitutionality of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law’ as it is consistent ‘with the vision, spirit and the core principles behind the provisions on autonomous regions,’” Coloma said in a statement.

Coloma said consultations held with various sectors made sure that social justice was considered in crafting the measure that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“Nakikiisa ang pamahalaan sa panawagan ng mga obispo na ang batas na ipapasa ng Kongreso ay dapat na nakaugat sa katarungang panlipunan. Kaya nga’t sa bahagi ng mga konsultasyon na isinagawa ay ‘yung pagtitiyak na ito ay mapapaloob sa Bangsamoro Basic Law,” he added.

While clarifying that they do not categorically endorse nor oppose the BBL as they “stand on common moral ground issues,” Catholic bishops on Monday said they want a BBL that “effectively addresses the injustices suffered by indigenous peoples and various religious minorities within the proposed Bangsamoro area.”

“We want a BBL that effectively addresses the injustices suffered by the Bangsamoro as well as the injustices suffered by indigenous peoples and various religious minorities within the proposed Bangsamoro area,” CBCP said in a statement following a three-day plenary.

The CBCP added that the proposed BBL “whose provisions should be clearly constitutional” should promote harmonious relationships between peoples of different race and religion, protect universal human rights, respond to concerns of all stakeholders, and not betray the spirit of peace agreements.

“That is the BBL we envision on the basis of social moral principles of social justice, harmony and peace. It is a vision that goes beyond the proposals now being discussed in our legislature,” CBCP said. “The moral imperative to lasting peace is this: Christians, Muslims, Lumads and members of other faiths have to begin trusting in one another.”