FVR: More discussions on BBL needed

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Fidel Ramos had expressed support for the creation of a Bangsamoro government, but said more time is needed to clarify and discuss important points in the proposed measure now pending before Congress.

“We know that this framework agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) last October may be the last chance for all of us,” Ramos said during a forum at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on Tuesday.

“Let us try every effort within our means to make this formula work for the better future of our younger generation,” he said.

However, Ramos also stressed the need for more time to thoroughly discuss the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law in order to increase the chances of making it work.

“Just because there is a very expert panel that put it together does not mean that everybody will accept it automatically within the timeframe established by the government,” Ramos told reporters.

“It doesn’t work that way,” he added.

The former president, who signed a peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation in 1996, noted the importance of the “people on the ground” to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.

“You increase the chances of success if you prepare as early as humanly possible,” he added.

Asked if he agreed with the provisions of the basic law and the current agreement between the government and the MILF, Ramos said there are “things that he doesn’t fully agree with.”

Among these, according to him, is the pronouncement of the peace panel that they expect members of the MILF to lay down their arms by Christmas.

“You just don’t wish for the laying down of firearms, you actually go there and get it done,” he said.

“I just hope that there is more public debate (on some of the final points in the agreement)… We should not just wish for things to happen by Christmas, by the end of the year, or the end of the term of President Aquino,” he added.

In his speech, the former president called for the implementation of long-term programs “to raise the poorest communities in our nation closer to the level of national average.”

He noted that Muslim Mindanao, the ethnic regions and the poorest regions could reasonably claim for preferential treatment in national budget allocations in infrastructure, primary health care and basic education.