MILF: Editorial -- If BBL passes, whose credits?

Editorial posted to the MILF Website (Dec 2): Editorial -- If BBL passes, whose credits?

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not engaged in blaming game. We do not get anything in finger-pointing. We still believe in and pursue constructive partnership in the search for peace and justice in Mindanao.

Be this as it may, if at the end, however, the BBL does not pass, we have to examine why it did not pass. We cannot just say that it is due to the biases, hatred, and prejudices of the majority population against the Moros, which are shared by many if not most of the lawmakers in Congress, as pointed out correctly by Cardinal Orlando Quevedo. Someone or groups have to assume responsibility.

There is no need to push for answers to this question. Perhaps, we can reverse the formulation to make it positive or non-adversarial. Suppose the BBL passes Congress, who would be credited for it?

Right now the fate of the BBL is in the hands of Congress, the Senate and the Lower House.  This is crystal clear. Decision lies in their hands; they can pass it or they don’t. The people can only lobby against or in favor of it, but they are not part of decision-making. No amount of reasons can smokescreen the decisiveness or indecisiveness of lawmakers especially the leadership. Lack of quorum (in the Lower House) is not a viable reason; why no quorum is raised if the BBL is under deliberation and no question of quorum if it is the national budget. Come to think of it!

Until this time our trust of President Benigno Aquino III is safely intact. We never waver in this trust. For this reason, we hope that he will push for the passage of the BBL in Congress now. The last two minutes, so to speak, can make a difference. Many lawmakers are urging him now to certify the BBL as urgent bill. This would abbreviate the discussion. Only eight session days are left to enact the bill. Time is running out but there is still to do it. We hope to see the enlightened decisiveness of the President once again.

http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/708-if-bbl-passes-whose-credits