MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has vowed to push Congress to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Meeting with the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) on Thursday, Aquino said: “Let’s approach this (drafting of the proposed law) with an open mind, see if everything is consistent with the CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro), and limit the potential challenges.”
Aquino urged the parties to finalize the draft bill soon, as Congress is concerned about the timeframe for its enactment if it is not submitted soon.
“We want the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to be put in place next year, as early as possible,” he said.
The meeting came on the heels of reports of “significant points of differences” between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels on the recommendations of the Office of the President’s legal team on the draft bill.
Aquino said the parties must work together to bridge their differences.
“Let us put ourselves in each other’s shoes,” he said.
Holding a printout of MILF chairman Al Hal Murad Ebrahim’s speech during the March signing of the CAB, Aquino read: “After all, the CAB is not only for the MILF, but also for the MNLF, for all Muslim ethnic tribes, Christian settlers and indigenous peoples.” – With Alexis Romero