‘Continuation of Bangsamoro peace process up to next Congress’

MANILA, Philippines – It is the responsibility of the next Congress to ensure the continuity of the Bangsamoro peace process by refiling and passing the stalled Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said yesterday.
Voters, on the other hand, have the responsibility to elect peace-loving leaders and lawmakers who would continue the peace process, she added.

“We know that those who will be elected to the House of Representatives are the ones who will lead the continuation of the BBL, its improvement and ensuring that a meaningful law is passed,” Ferrer said at a forum for congressional candidates.

Usapang Kapayapan: A Forum for Congressional Candidates aims to determine the stand of candidates regarding the stalled BBL and Bangsamoro peace process.

During the forum, Ferrer also noted that passing the BBL should be a priority of the 17th Congress, considering the collective failure of the 16th Congress to pass it last February before it adjourned.

“We should remind all those who are running in the election that this is an important responsibility of the next Congress to ensure lasting good governance and peace in Muslim Mindanao,” she added.

Ferrer said that the next election would be vital as it would direct the course of the peace process.

“This problem has been going on for a long time. We need everyone’s active support because if this conflict continues, there is a chance that the situation will worsen,” she warned.

Former secretary Senen Bacani, a member of the government peace panel, noted that it is imperative for the voting public to think about peace and development in choosing their next leaders.

Bacani said that the next leaders must prioritize the peace process in order to establish a just and lasting peace in the country.

“It is imperative that we continue the process so that in the end, we will finally achieve a just and lasting peace in Mindanao. As they say, without justice and reconciliation, there will be no true peace,” he added.