OPAPP still hopeful of BBL passage

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 25): OPAPP still hopeful of BBL passage

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) remains hopeful that the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be passed by Congress before the Aquino administration ends.

“Wala namang dahilan para hindi pu-pwedeng mangyari [ang BBL] kung talagang mapakita rin ng ating Kongreso ang ganitong klaseng determination at support dito sa napakahabang proseso ng paghahanap ng maayos na solusyon – ng mapayapang solusyon sa kaguluhang nangyayari sa Mindanao,”  GPH Chief Negotiator Miriam Coronel Ferrer Ferrer said.

Congress resumes session on November 3.

Ferrer said they expect the BBL to reach the bicameral conference next month. “Ibig sabihin ay naipasa na both sa House at sa Senado yung kani-kanilang mga versions at pupunta na doon sa pag-reconcile.”

She said, “Pagkatapos ay ihahabol na sa plenary for final call. Inaasahan natin at ipinapakiusap natin [sa Kongreso] na mangyari lahat yan pagdating ng Disyembre.”

If passed in December, Ferrer is hopeful that the Comelec can schedule the plebiscite by February. If ratified, President Aquino will sign the BBL into law so that by March the 'Transition Mechanism' may be put in place.

Ferrer said many sectors have expressed support for the BBL, including the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines (CEAP), officials of Ateneo campuses, and other civil society organizations.

She said government agencies can participate in CAB implementation and in working for BBL passage since the program covers many sectors including tax issues, financing and budget, jurisdiction over energy and mineral resources and telecommunication.

"There is a need to promote understanding among different sectors on the issue because if the BBL is not passed under the Aquino administration, it will be back to zero for all of us in the next Congress," Ferrer added.

“Kailangan ma-refile yan ulit, aattend ka na naman ng mga committee hearings na aabutin ka na naman ng ilang taon bago ka makaabot kung asan tayo ngayon… nakakapanghinayang yung opportunity na ma-fast track na natin yung peace and development.”

Ferrer was the guest at the Kapihan sa Media ng Bayan last Friday held at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) building.

Kapihan sa Media ng Bayan airs live over PBS Radyo ng Bayan 738 kHz every Friday, 10-11am, with a replay on the same day in People's Television Network (PTV 4), 7-8pm and in IBC 13, 10:30-11:30pm. 

Media ng Bayan comprises government media including Philippine Broadcasting System-Radyo ng Bayan, People’s Television, Philippines News Agency and Philippine Information Agency.