MILF: “Present alternative solutions”, PNoy urged BBL critics

Posted to the MILF Website (May 1): “Present alternative solutions”, PNoy urged BBL critics

President Benigno Aquino, who recently attended the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Malaysia urged critics of the proposed  Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to present alternative solutions to the conflict in Mindanao instead of just complaining about the peace initiative following the Mamasapano tragedy.

The President said that if they have no better alternative they should instead rally behind efforts to bring just and lasting peace in Mindanao.

Aquino’s appeal to the anti-BBL critics was made before he returned to Manila on Tuesday (April 27) from the ASEAN summit.

“Hinahamon ko ulit lahat ng kritiko nito, kung mayroon kayong talagang kayang imungkahi na mas maganda, bakit hindi ninyo isulong? Ngayon, kung wala naman kayong maisulong na maganda, baka naman pwede tumulong na lang kayo [I am challenging critics of the measure that if they have a better solution, why don’t you pursue it? Now, if they cannot present anything good, they should just help us],” Aquino said.

“Sa dulo nito, pare-pareho tayong Pilpino, kung hindi natin aasikasuhin ‘yung bayan natin, walang mag-aasikaso para sa atin [In the end, we are all Filipinos. If we will not help our nation, nobody will do it for us],” he added.

Nevertheless, despite the seemingly negative attitude of some lawmakers on BBL, the president is hopeful that they can open their minds and support the proposed law pending before Congress as a result of the Mamasapano tragedy.

“Right after, or at the height of the Mamasapano crisis, ano ba ang sinasabi? Tigil na ang diskusyon, wala nang nagsasabi kung kailan ang resumption. May mga nagsabi pa sigurong tapos na itong BBL na ito, etc. Ngayon, nag-uusap na sila ng schedule kailan matatapos [Right after or the height of the Mamasapano crisis, what did they say? Stop the discussion, nobody mentioned when the resumption of the hearing will be held. Some people even said BBL is already dead. Now, they are talking about the schedule, when the hearing will be completed],” he said.

 “At may kumpiyansa ako sa Kongreso, pagkatapos doon sa taumbayan na boboto sa plebisito, na talagang magkakaroon ng kaganapan itong BBL,” he added.

He said the nation must not waste the opportunity to end the decades-old conflict in Mindanano. 

He warned that here is no guarantee that this chance will happen again with both parties open to pursuing the peace process in the south, he said.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/921-present-alternative-solutions-pnoy-urged-bbl-critics