MILF no longer optimistic on BBL

MANILA, Philippines - The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is no longer optimistic that Congress will pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that will create an autonomous Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.

MILF peace panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal said there were signs that the BBL would not be passed and there would be frustration in the ranks of the MILF. But the MILF would still pursue the path of peace even if the measure is not enacted.

“Signs are already pointing to that direction. There’s lack of quorum in the House of Representatives this afternoon session towards Tuesday and Wednesday. If it would not be passed these three days, I don’t think it would ever be passed at all,” Iqbal said yesterday at the launch of the book “Journey to the Bangsamoro,” a compilation of all agreements signed by the government and MILF.

“I’m no longer optimistic but I’m still hoping this will pass. If the BBL doesn’t pass, I think we’re back to zero.

“But in terms of the peace process, I don’t think we’ll be back to zero, except if a new president would adopt a war policy, that’s another matter,” he added.

Iqbal also said that the MILF would raise the BBL with the new administration because of the Aquino government’s failure to do its obligation on the peace process. 

Government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said both the House and the Senate have conducted a total of 45 public hearings on the BBL, 40 in the House and 15 in the Senate.

She noted that lawmakers interpellated separately in both chambers in a total of 33 session days up to December 2015 with millions of taxpayers’ money spent.

“Legislators who say the bill is being rushed have all the opportunity to correct whatever perceived flaws they have on the draft BBL since these are all within their powers. But they cannot accomplish the task if they are not inside the session hall during deliberations,” Ferrer said.

“There is still a slim chance that the BBL will pass this Congress. But if it doesn’t, it is up to the next administration and the MILF how they will deal with the matter. But of course, we very much prefer to pass on a solution rather than a problem to the next president, so we are still trying very hard to get our legislators on board,” she added.