MANILA, Oct. 13 — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday once again endorsed the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) during the announcement of the Liberal Party’s senatorial lineup dubbed “Ang Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid” at its headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City.
“’Pag ‘di naipasa ang BBL, ipagpapatuloy lang natin ang siklo ng hidwaan. Tuloy na malulugmok ang mga kapatid natin sa gulo at kahirapan; at patutunayan lang natin ang mga pagkukulang ng ARMM, at kung saan kahit isa lang ang maling mailagay sa puwesto ay apektakdo na ang kinabukasan ng lahat (If the BBL is not passed, we will just let the cycle of conflict continue. Our people will remain mired in conflict and poverty; and the problem with the ARMM will fester wherein even if we just have one wrong official in power, the future of our people will be affected),” Aquino said in front of party-mates, which include Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.
Last week, both Houses of Congress adjourned without passing the BBL, also known as Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
The BBL, which is the legal iteration of the Comprehensive Agreement between the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front, would establish a new autonomous Bangsamoro government. Quorum woes in the lower House are seen as the primary reason for the delay in its passage.
BBL part of PNoy’s reforms
Aquino said he considers the BBL part of the reforms pushed by his Administration and that the proposed law would ensure governance and inclusivity in the Bangsamoro region.
“Sa itinutulak natin, ang mamumuno, talagang naglilingkod sa sambayanan; ang kanilang mga hangarin naman, ipinaparating sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga kinatawan. Malayong-malayo ito sa kinagisnan nating sitwasyon kung saan may warlord na nagdidikta sa kapalaran ng nakakarami, samantalang pinagtutuunan lang niya ng pansin ang pag-unlad ng kanyang angkan o tribo (In what we are pushing, the leaders will definitely serve the people; the people’s needs will be brought to their attention. This is a major change from the status quo with the warlord dictating what he wants while only pushing for his own or his clan’s interests),” Aquino said.
“Dahil kasama ang taumbayan sa sistema ng pamamahala (sa BBL), nababali ang sistema kung saan may naeetsa-pwera (Because the people will be part of the system, we will break the system of exclusivity),” he added.
Prior to Congress recess, both Liberal Party members, Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Belmonte declared that the new deadline for passing the BBL is December 16. (OPAPP)
