Next President won’t go ‘back to zero’ in bringing peace to Mindanao—Palace

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 30): Next President won’t go ‘back to zero’ in bringing peace to Mindanao—Palace 

Malacañang does not envision a ‘back to zero’ scenario for the successor of President Benigno S. Aquino III who will be tasked apparently to come up with fresh ways to bring lasting peace in Mindanao should the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) fail to make it in the 16th Congress.

Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office made this comment Friday amid reports on the perceived waning chances of BBL being ratified by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before President Aquino steps down in June.

“Sa aking palagay mahirap nang sabihin pa ‘yung ‘back to zero’ dahil napakalayo na ng narating (natin), at sinuman ang magiging susunod na Pangulo ay tiyak na kikilalanin niya na malaking progreso na ang natamo rito at hindi na magiging makatuwiran na [umatras] pa tayo,” Secretary Coloma told reporters in an interview.

The Palace official thinks it is incumbent upon the next administration to continue what President Aquino started and capitalize on the ‘momentum for peace,’ which the proposed legislation managed to build over the years.

“Dapat lang ay isulong at ipagpatuloy ang naumpisahan na para maging ganap ang pagtamo ng mga layunin ng prosesong pangkapayapaan,” Secretary Coloma said.

He emphasized that even if the fate of the BBL is out of President Aquino’s hands, it is important for people to keep the wheels of the peace process running, especially since it has gained tremendous support not only from its stakeholders but also from other sectors of society.

“Kung ano man ang pinal na kahihinatnan ng panukalang Bangsamoro Basic Law, hindi natitinag ang determinasyon ni Pangulong Aquino na itaguyod ang prosesong pangkapayapaan, at patuloy pa rin ang paghimok sa lahat ng sektor ng ating lipunan at sa lahat ng mga stakeholders to give peace a chance,” Secretary Coloma said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3001454076542/next-president-won-t-go-back-to-zero-in-bringing-peace-to-mindanao-palace-