By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, March 2 (PNA) – Despite delay brought about by the Mamasapano incident, Malacanang remains confident to see the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) within the remaining 15 months of the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
”That’s correct,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda replied when asked during a media briefing in Malacanang if the Palace sees the BBL passage under the Aquino administration.
Lacierda, however, clarified that the Palace is aware that the original March deadline set by the Senate and the House of Representative is no longer realistic.
”I don’t know if there has been discussion with the peace panel but both sides are certainly aware of the reality that we won’t be able to pass it on the first quarter,” Lacierda told reporters.
”We hope to pass — we will pass it, but I don’t know at what point, that will be part of the discussions with the House and the Senate,” he added.
Senate President Franklin Drilon said recently the Senate is now targeting to finish the BBL before Congress’ sine die adjournment on June 11 this year.
”That’s why we have to really discuss the timetable. It has to be part of the discussions with the Legislative branch,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda said the Executive branch is ready to explain to the Senate and the House of Representatives the importance of passing the BBL.
”The Executive branch is prepared to present to you all the details of the provisions of the law whether on a constitutional issue or whether on a issue on certain provisions. We are prepared to do that,” Lacierda said.
”We are there to present to Congress, senators or congressmen, the perspective of how this BBL was crafted. If they have issues on wealth sharing, if they have issues on power sharing, let’s not just go on the general statements. Let’s focus on the details. We can provide you the details,” he added.
The BBL was the result of the Comprehensive Agreement of Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The proposed law is needed for the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Both the Senate and the House have suspended temporarily the BBL hearings to give way to the different investigations on the bloody Mamasapano encounter that left 44 Special Action Force (SAF) men dead last Jan. 25 in Maguindanao.
The MILF combatants were among the group of armed men that also included members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who engaged in a firefight the SAF troopers who were in the area to arrest international terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and BIFF commander Basit Usman. (PNA)