November-December, the fourth and probably the last deadline for passing the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Congress, is days away. If it passes, it is Congress' credit; if it doesn't, it also Congress that has not delivered.
If we say, it is Congress' responsibility, we mean it as a body or collectively. We know that there are many lawmakers in both chambers of Congress who are pushing for the passage of the BBL, especially Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Senate President Franklin Drilon. But so far, their collective efforts are not enough to pass the BBL in three previous attempts.
Of course, there are many factors that can explain this difficulty. This is not a finger-pointing exercise. Except those clearly spoiling the BBL in the House and in the Senate, we are not faulting anyone. But whatever is the reason, if the BBL does not pass Congress, it is Congress that did not deliver (and sad to say, it is government, in the ultimate sense, which did not deliver).
Again, when we say government, we are not referring to individuals. We refer to the Government of the Philippines or GPH, which is made up of three branches of government and other entities of government. It is the GPH whom we talked to since January 7, 1997, not Congress and not the Judiciary.
We are not saying here that President Benigno Aquino III cannot and will not deliver. We still firmly believe that the BBL can still be pass under his close watch. He still has our trust and confidence safely intact.
In Congress, what is decisive is how the leaderships in both chambers play their roles. The real test of leadership is when others do not want to follow. It is similar to negotiation. The start of real negotiation is when the other party says no to a particular proposal. By then, the first party has the burden to look for reasons why the other party does not agree, so that in the next meeting, all the concerns of the other party are parried or addressed effectively.
If we examine closely why the BBL is not moving fast in Congress, the main reasons for this, borrowing the view of Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, are the fears, prejudices, hatred, and even paranoia of the majority population of the Moros in Mindanao. These negative views or perceptions by the majority are not only felt by these lawmakers who are deliberating the BBL but also shared by some of them. A case in point is a Congresswoman from Western Mindanao who refused to hear any argument in favor of the BBL. She repeatedly said, ""I do not want the BBL, period."
Clearly, the BBL is passing through the proverbial eye of the needle in Congress. But opposition to any proposed bill is given in legislative process. But delivery, as pointed out above, is the function of those who want it passed.
It is a pity that despite the passage of centuries, many of us still sporting that Moro-Spanish animosities prevalent in the 16th century and onward. We can understand if this view still exists among the ordinary folks but if lawmakers, many of who are well educated, have not shed this yet, then it is not surprising that this conflict in Mindanao will continue to pester us.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/632-congress-has-bbl-s-destiny
Of course, there are many factors that can explain this difficulty. This is not a finger-pointing exercise. Except those clearly spoiling the BBL in the House and in the Senate, we are not faulting anyone. But whatever is the reason, if the BBL does not pass Congress, it is Congress that did not deliver (and sad to say, it is government, in the ultimate sense, which did not deliver).
Again, when we say government, we are not referring to individuals. We refer to the Government of the Philippines or GPH, which is made up of three branches of government and other entities of government. It is the GPH whom we talked to since January 7, 1997, not Congress and not the Judiciary.
We are not saying here that President Benigno Aquino III cannot and will not deliver. We still firmly believe that the BBL can still be pass under his close watch. He still has our trust and confidence safely intact.
In Congress, what is decisive is how the leaderships in both chambers play their roles. The real test of leadership is when others do not want to follow. It is similar to negotiation. The start of real negotiation is when the other party says no to a particular proposal. By then, the first party has the burden to look for reasons why the other party does not agree, so that in the next meeting, all the concerns of the other party are parried or addressed effectively.
If we examine closely why the BBL is not moving fast in Congress, the main reasons for this, borrowing the view of Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, are the fears, prejudices, hatred, and even paranoia of the majority population of the Moros in Mindanao. These negative views or perceptions by the majority are not only felt by these lawmakers who are deliberating the BBL but also shared by some of them. A case in point is a Congresswoman from Western Mindanao who refused to hear any argument in favor of the BBL. She repeatedly said, ""I do not want the BBL, period."
Clearly, the BBL is passing through the proverbial eye of the needle in Congress. But opposition to any proposed bill is given in legislative process. But delivery, as pointed out above, is the function of those who want it passed.
It is a pity that despite the passage of centuries, many of us still sporting that Moro-Spanish animosities prevalent in the 16th century and onward. We can understand if this view still exists among the ordinary folks but if lawmakers, many of who are well educated, have not shed this yet, then it is not surprising that this conflict in Mindanao will continue to pester us.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/632-congress-has-bbl-s-destiny
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