Leaders hopeful of Bangsamoro law passage

CEBU, Philippines - The Bangsamoro Transition Commission   and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos are hopeful that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law will be approved.

"There is no plan B, only plan A. We trust in President Aquino and the collective wisdom of the Congress," BTC Chair Mohagher Iqbal said during the launch of the BBL Primer on Friday.

NCMF Secretary Yasmin Busran-Lao added that not ratifying the proposed BBL through a plebiscite would be injustice because the people deserves to be asked and to be heard regarding the matter. The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao is set to be abolished once the BBL is ratified.

Busran-Lao recalled their struggles and challenges as part of the Bangsamoro community.

"I was born a Maranao... we were called cultural minorities," Busran-Lao recalled. She also mentioned gender, religion and citizenship issues as part of the challenges they faced growing up.

Iqbal noted that the BBL is the formula for unity, peace and development, which would end the conflict in the region.

The BTC launched the Primer on the BBL with the help of the European Union Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and National Union of the Journalists of the Philippines.

"As part of the EU long-standing support for the peace process in Mindanao, we are very pleased that EU funds have enabled the production of this key publication," EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux said.

The said primer describes, explains and clarifies various aspects of the BBL and its effect on the everyday life of the people. It seeks to assist the people in preparing for a future plebiscite.

The BBL is also known as "An act providing for the basic law for the Bangsamoro and abolishing the ARMM, repealing for the purpose Republic Act 9054, titled 'An act to strengthen and expand the organic act for the ARMM,' and Republic Act 6734, titled 'An act providing for an organic act for the ARMM, and for other purposes.'- Philippine Star News Service