Many statements are coming out in the media purportedly uttered by some leaders of Congress, the Senate and the House, about many matters related to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Most of the public statements were good and very encouraging; others are not so wholesome; and still others spoke of some unconstitutional provisions of the proposed law.
In this discourse, we will focus on the third category, deliberately sidestepping the first and second categories. The second category is made up of one or two, or at most three, legislators, who have been traditionally known as not supporters of the BBL. We appreciate the second category, because it allows us to see the other side of the debate. Even outright spoilers are not all times bad. They can also enrich the debate, although that is not their real motive.
We believed that if these legislators ever made these statements of the unconstitutionality of some aspects of the BBL, they were made in good faith. Or, they were quoted out of context by some media reporters, which we believe require a clarification. (We don’t know if we can go to that extent here).
In either case, however, prudence is a better part of judgment. Even the well-intentioned views or statements can mean another thing to others. The truth is that we are in a very sensitive and delicate situation. All honest stakeholders including MILF members and combatants are waiting in baited breath about the fate of BBL in Congress. While we have faith in the collective wisdom of Congress to pass a good legislation, in a tense situation such as we are now in, it is people’s nature to react swiftly --- sometimes unreasonably-- even to a slight movement.
The issue of the BBL is linked with other tracks of the peace process especially normalization. The MILF is committed to decommission its weapons and forces and put them beyond use, but it is in exchange for something for our people. That something is in a good BBL.
It has been put by some writers that a Moro would part with his wife but not his firearms. Truth is that there is truth to this in some instances, especially during combat. A wife can help even with bare hands, but how much she can do damage to the enemy who armed to the teeth?
However, if there is no reason to bear arms and that all our limbs and properties are safe, who will then be in need of these weapons? Actually, many of the woes in the Moro society were caused by the proliferation of these deadly weapons. We are also tired of these so much and unnecessary, nay unjustified, bloodletting in our midst.
We therefore appeal to all and sundry especially leaders not to make hasty pronouncements that would agitate negative reactions from the people. The issue of constitutionality of any provision of the BBL is in the domain of the Supreme Court. We are not yet there.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/1441-sensitive-situation
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.