Saturday, February 21, 2015

MILF: Despite delay, government optimistic BBL will be passed

Posted to the MILF Website (Feb 21): Despite delay, government optimistic BBL will be passed

Despite the delay caused by the Mamasapano clash between government troops and Moro rebels last January 25, the government is optimistic that the proposed Bangsamoro Law will be passed by congress.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the “The government has accepted the delay in the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) but has obtained the assurance of Congress leaders that the bill remains on the table.”

 “At this point, the peace panel and the presidential adviser on the peace process is cognizant that there is already a delay in the timetable. The leadership of Congress has conveyed to us that they are not dropping the matter. They recognize that it’s an important piece of legislation,” Valte said in a press briefing.

Once the hearings on BBL resume, concerned government officials are ready to attend the deliberations and answer any questions about the proposed legislation, Valte also said.

Under the roadmap, the BBL should be enacted by December, 2014, but was reset to first quarter of 2015 amid questions of constitutionality on some of its provisions. The killing of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and members of breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) badly affected the congressional hearings.

 “At least on the side of the government, tanggap na nating magkaka-delay (We’ve accepted that there will be a delay). But it’s still on the table, and, as I said, the peace panel and our peace advocates will be ready to answer questions when the deliberations come,” Valte said.

Please review the draft BBL, “so we can avoid misinformation from groups that are anti-peace process,” Valte further said.

http://www.luwaran.net/index.php/welcome/item/778-despite-delay-government-optimistic-bbl-will-be-passed

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