Malacañang on Thursday downplayed reports that the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was nearing collapse, as the two sides continue to disagree on the provisions of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that the government and the MILF were determined to come up with a mutually acceptable bill providing for the creation of a new Bangsamoro political entity.
"Dapat lang po siguro na iwasan ‘yung mga maliligalig na espekulasyon hinggil diyan dahil patuloy pa rin naman po sa pagsisikap na makabuo nitong Bangsamoro Basic Law," Coloma told reporters in a news briefing.
He added that both parties were focusing on what they could agree on, and not on points of contention.
"Sa ganitong proseso, ang higit na pinag-uukulan ng pansin ay kung paano magkaroon ng common ground o ‘yung pinagkakasunduan at hindi ‘yung mga hindi pinagkakasunduan," Coloma said.
On Wednesday, Reuters quoted MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal as saying that the group "cannot accept this proposed law as it is."
The news agency described Iqbal's statement as "the first public indication that the agreement is close to collapse."
Presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda on Wednesday said that the delay in the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law meant less time for building the proposed political entity's capacity for self-rule.
Coloma, for his part, reiterated the government's hope that the two panels finish the draft bill soon.
The crafting of the Bangsamoro bill has been stalled in the past months after President Benigno Aquino's legal team supposedly made changes to the draft submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.
Last month, government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said certain provisions in the draft Bangsamoro law may be unconstitutional.
The Bangsamoro Basic Law will embody the comprehensive peace agreement signed last March by the MILF and the government, aiming to end the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao.
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