The peace panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH)
and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) today lauded the optimism of Sen.
Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. that the Bangsamoro Basic Law shall see the light within
the time left of the current Congress.
"I am confident that the Senate would do its best to
pass the proposed measure within the remaining session days of Congress after
considering all the amendments introduced by the Senators," Marcos said in
a letter addressed to peace panel chairs Miriam Coronel-Ferrer (GPH) and
Mohagher Iqbal (MILF) dated Dec. 1 but just recently received by the peace
panels.
On its last session-day on Dec. 16, the HOR concluded the
period of interpellation on the proposed bill. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of
the ad hoc committee on the BBL, vowed to pass the bill when Congress resumes
session in January.
The Senate, on the other hand, failed to deliberate on the
Bangsamoro law on its last week of session this December.
Marcos' letter was in response to the open letter of the
peace panels sent to Congress on Nov. 26.
"Time is short, but there is still time. We ask our
legislators to work for the immediate passage of the draft law on the
Bangsamoro. Time is of the essence, and opportunity knocks only once,” the GPH
and MILF peace panels expressed in an open letter.
"We are at the cusp of closing a major armed conflict
that has divided our people for decades. But we cannot reach our destination
without the goodwill and show of statesmanship from our leaders in the august
halls of Congress, in whose hands the legislative power lies," they added.
In said joint letter, the peace panels underscored the
importance of passing the BBL to continue the decommissioning of MILF forces
and weapons, generate positive effects on the succeeding administration and
arrest the spread of extremism.
"We ask you, our legislators, to open your hearts and
to give our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters this one good chance to enjoy the
right to peace, and partake of meaningful reforms and development," they
concluded.
Marcos' positive statement on the passage of the Bangsamoro
bill came weeks after he was quoted in news reports saying that the measure
"is dead since Congress just run out of time to pass it."
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=841661
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