A memorable spiritual journey for the nation

When you have a good leader, things definitely change. When you inspire people with your words, actions and ideas, phenomenal changes can occur. This is what we saw during the Pope’s visit last week. On the first day of his visit there were just enough spectators in the streets but after his sermons and talks to different groups, the people flocked to him. Everyone wanted to have a piece of the Pope. He even broke the record of attracting more than six million people who all went to Luneta during that rainy Sunday. He brought people of all faiths together to listen to his words. What a great representative personality of our time!

Our spiritual and political leaders should have observed his ways so that they can emulate him. That four-day visit gave us some spiritual reawakening. It was actually a four-day national retreat. People were enamored by the Pope. They followed him everywhere. Some stayed home glued on their televisions not wanting to miss anything. Others listened to the non-stop coverage of all the events on the radio. The malls, movie theaters, restaurants were almost empty. Hospitals were not busy. The crime rate was low, much lower than those days when Manny Pacquiao would have a boxing match. Doesn’t this experience tell us something?

Indeed, the visit of Pope Francis brought out the best in our people notwithstanding some “epal” moments, truckloads of garbage and isolated verbal confrontations on different religious beliefs. Overall, the Pope Francis effect is a strengthened faith with a smile of renewed hope to a people burdened to its knees by natural and man-made calamities.

Anyway, days after that momentous visit, we now hear reports that are truly disheartening and make you wonder how much of that overflowing display of love and respect was real. Did we really listen to Pope Francis? How true are the reports that the policemen who went on duty during the pope’s visit allegedly did not get the right allowances? What about the news that six hundred street children and their families were rounded up from the streets of Manila and brought to Chateau Royale Resort in Nasugbu, Batangas?

Honestly, I was embarrassed with the President’s welcome speech. It wasn’t a welcome speech at all and if you watch that part again you will see the face of the Pope. He didn’t look all that happy. Another point was having all the cabinet members (well most of them) line up three times in different occasions to kiss the ring of the Pope. Was this really necessary? Once is enough. Oh well! You probably need all the blessings you can get so God can bless you!

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By the way, Bangsamoro Basic Law is now a priority in Congress. Last week, I got hold of a copy of the MNLF Position Paper on the BBL authored by Ambassador Datu HJ. Abul Khayr Dangcal Alonto, Chairman of the MNLF. Here are some of the observations and recommendations stated on the paper on the BBL: In the Title, as well as in the content of the proposed BBL, the word “ENHANCING” must be used in lieu of “ABOLISHING”, as it is more appropriate and would in a way give perpetual meaning not only to certain Constitutional provisions but all previous Agreements forged between the Philippine Government and the Bangsamoro people as well.

On Article III-Territory: it should be stated that with respect to the present Geographical Area of the ARMM, composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and the Cities of Marawi and Isabela; as well as the Barangays and Municipalities who voted for their inclusion into the ARMM in the 2001 Plebiscite shall remain as part of the Bangsamoro Territory even after the enactment of the BBL and after the conduct of the plebiscite, regardless of the result of the votes.

Section 19. Preservation of Bangsamoro Cultural Heritage of Article IX-Basic Rights-Culture should read as follows: “To preserve the History, Culture, Arts, Tradition and the rich Cultural Heritage of the Royalties of Mindanao, such as the Sultanates of Sulu, Maguindanao, Ramain-MalaBayabao and the Principalities of Rajah Buayaan, Masiu, Unayan, and Kutabato- Tagoloan, including as well the Indigenous Peoples of the Bangsamoro, there shall be created a Bangsamoro Commission for the preservation of such Cultural Heritage;”

In Section 23 of Article X-Bangsamoro Justice System, the following statement should be included: “The Principle of Preferential Application of these traditional/tribal justice systems shall be established provided that these traditions have been codified and enacted as law by the Bangsamoro Parliament;”

Under Article XII-Fiscal Autonomy- Section 32, c) should read as: For Fossil Fuels (Petroleum, natural gas, and coal) and uranium, the same shall be shared equally between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government; and the share of the Bangsamoro Government shall be used exclusively to promote and provide: Free Education, Free Medical Care and affordable Shelter Program for the Bangsamoro People;

In Article XVI-Bangsamoro Transition Authority; Section 2 should read as follows: “There is hereby created a Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) which shall be the interim government or the governing body in the Bangsamoro during the transition period. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), being the Principal Party to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, shall lead the BTA, in its leadership and membership, but shall include the cooperation and participation of the mainstream MNLF in the spirit and letter of the 1976 RP-MNLF TRIPOLI AGREEMENT, anchored on Resolution No.18 of the 1974 Kuala Lumpur Summit of Heads of States, and the 1996 GRP-MNLF PEACE ACCORD.”

Ambassador Alonto said that “Human development is a noble end in itself. But the larger context of the CAB and the proposed BBL is our failure to effectively address the longest running insurgency and the development of our peoples, especially those of Muslim Mindanao.” He added, “Reason tells us that a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region can close the centuries old gap between law and justice and that we are on the cusp of a historic opportunity to make it happen. The negotiations on a Bangsamoro peace agreement have dragged on for 17 years. The Aquino government committed itself to bring the peace process to fruition and has earned the trust of the Bangsamoro people that it will stay the course. We must bring about that fruition, not because it is the will of one man, but because it is the shared vision of a nation. Bangsamoro is about the development of people, not about the constitutionality of words. In this manner, Bangsamoro can be a model for us to do the same for the rest of the country and thereby build together a more just and peaceful nation.”

The Philippine government and the MNLF have spoken. It is now in the hands of Congress to see the importance of passing the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law within the first quarter of this year. Let us pray that they will do what is right.

We all know that mutual respect is fundamental in any human relationship, especially among people who profess religious belief. In this way, sincere and lasting friendship can grow. – Pope Francis