Aquino to discuss Philippines’s peace process in ASEAN-US Summit

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III is scheduled to declare his resolve for the peace process during his attendance in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-United States (ASEAN-US) Summit.

Aquino, attending his last ASEAN Summit as president, said his resolve for the peace process is the country's contribution in addressing the issues of extremism and lack of stability.

“Ito nga po ang pinakahuling ASEAN Summit na dadaluhan ko bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas. Ito na rin ang pinakahuling pagkakataon na maibabahagi ko sa kapwa nating mga pinuno ng ASEAN ang paninindigan natin sa prosesong pangkapayapaan, na siya nating ambag sa pagtugon sa isyu ng extremism at kawalan ng estabilidad,” Aquino said during his departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Monday.

The president said he seeks to strengthen the strategic partnership between the ASEAN and US.

Aquino also vowed to maintain the Philippines’s stand on the peace process citing the Bangsamoro Basic Law as a way to bring peace and progress in Mindanao.

“Naudlot man ang panukalang Bangsamoro Basic Law sa ating Kongreso, di nagbabago ang ating posisyon ukol sa BBL: Ito pa rin pinakatamang landas tungo sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran para sa Mindanao. Sa ating pagpupulong, ilalatag natin ang mga kongkretong hakbang na ating ipapatupad sa kabila ng pagkabinbin ng BBL,” Aquino said.

The proposed BBL faced difficulties in both houses of the Congress. It is still pending in the 16th Congress until June 30 as the Senate cannot support it without the House of Representative’s prior approval.

BBL’s passage will be further delayed as the 16th Congress is currently on recess and will resume on May 23.

Aquino left the country on Monday to attend the ASEAN-US Summit to be held in Sunnylands, California.