MILF open to improving Basic Law

From the Manila Standard Today (Jan 3): MILF open to improving Basic Law

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said it is open to “improvements” to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law which is undergoing congressional scrutiny.

In an editorial posted in its website (www.luwaran.com), the MILF acknowledged that a concern that keeps cropping up is whether the former rebel group would accept a watered down version of the BBL, which was sent to Congress on Sept. 10.

“Would the MILF accept it? The answer to this question cannot be a straight and blunt, because it entails a lot of sensitivity and reality. We know for a fact that in this country, plenary power over legislation is lodged with Congress,” the MILF said.

“Our answer has been very consistent that the MILF trusts the collective wisdom of Congress to pass a good legislation. Congress, like any entities of government, wants the Moro question or problem to be solved. We do not know of any time in the future that this opportunity presents itself again,” it added.

The MILF acknowledged that the BBL “is not an ordinary legislation” having been the product of 17 years of negotiations.

The group said it will respect the prerogative of lawmakers who might want to amend the proposed BBL even as it cautioned Congress that their decision might not be a welcome development for the Bangsamoro people.

“The MILF’s position is clear: We welcome an improvement of the BBL. Who does not want an improvement?”

“But a reminder has to be earnestly said: an improvement to one group may not necessarily be so, to another group,” the MILF added.

President Benigno Aquino III earlier renewed his appeal to Congress to pass the BBL “as soon as possible.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/01/03/milf-open-to-improving-basic-law/