‘No need to get agitated over failure to pass BBL’

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang sees no reason to get agitated despite the failure of Congress to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The Palace also welcomed the statement of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal assuring the United Nations that the separatist group would remained committed to peace despite the non-passage of the BBL.

 “The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that was signed in Malacañang between the MILF and the administration still stands, and this remains the cornerstone for working forward,” Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office said yesterday over radio dzRB.

The CAB is the peace agreement, while the BBL is the legal translation of the CAB. If enacted, the BBL will be the legal basis for the creation of an autonomous Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

But Congress adjourned this week without passing the BBL and other key legislations such as the increase in pay of government workers, the freedom of information bill and the anti-political dynasty bill.

Quezon noted that while Congress was unable to pass the BBL as the Aquino administration hoped it would, the public must remember that the commitment on the part of the government remains.

He also expressed belief that both sides were committed to ensuring that the progress made this far remains and becomes a durable foundation for the future.

On the issue of possible restlessness on the ground after Congress failed to pass the BBL, Quezon said it was speculative at this time to talk about violence that might erupt.

“It would be, I think, unfair to all the parties in Mindanao – Christians, lumads and Moros – to speculate on any sort of violence or fighting when the public statements have all been premised on maintaining the progress thus far and the peace that continues to exist,” he said.

“What we have is a framework agreement that exists and to which the government is committed… I believe that we have seen that in terms of the partners such as the MILF, that they are doing their part to maintain their adherence to this and their commitment to this framework agreement,” he added.

Quezon also said that there would be just a brief wait until new members of Congress are elected before lawmakers could return to the work on deliberating on the BBL.