Palace on achieving Mindanao peace: We did our part

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has done its part in pushing for peace in Mindanao and it’s up to the next administration to take the next step, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said yesterday.

Coloma issued the statement in reaction to pronouncements from newly elected Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez that the administration of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte would push for a federal form of government instead of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Alvarez is emerging as the next speaker of the House of Representatives, as current Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has acknowledged not having the numbers to preserve his leadership.

Coloma said over radio dzRB the next Congress would have to decide whether to push for BBL, in accordance with the peace process and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

He appealed to all sectors to study what the Aquino administration has achieved so far in the pursuit of lasting peace in Mindanao.

“We spent a lot of time and resources to complete the (BBL) being pushed,” Coloma pointed out.

He said more time should be given for a review of the BBL to convince more people that the measure is worth considering in the interest of peace and development in Mindanao. But he admitted it would eventually be up to Congress to get things done.

“Now, how can it be done? That should be a product of consensus or opinions, positions of the elected leaders of the country,” Coloma said.