Killing the BBL

With an air of triumph, Marcos has declared that the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is dead. His presentation of a substitute bill has proven to be the main obstacle to the passage of the BBL.

It was only last April 27, 2015, that the Peace Assembly issued the” Report of the Peace Council on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.” The five convenors of the peace council included Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila; Hilario G. Davide Jr., former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Howard Dee, former ambassador to the Holy See; Jaime Augusto Zobel de ayala, chairman, Ayala Corp.; and, Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, founder of Teach Peace, Build Peace Movement.

The report had two major findings which  articulated in its cover letter.  Peace Council wrote:

• Overall we agreed that the BBL is overwhelmingly acceptable and deserves the support of all Filipinos. On the few provisions that needed some refinement, we offered recommendations. The BBL seeks to implement the constitutional mandate for autonomy enshrined by the 1987 Constitution. This process began with the good faith effort of the government to establish the autonomous region of Muslim Mindanao. To a large extent, the grant of autonomy within the framework of national sovereignty had prevented conflict from getting out of hand. Clearly autonomy and peace and development, all constitutional mandates, have become inseparable.

• “ The exercise has brought home to us the conviction that the BBL should be passed; that to set it aside now would be imprudent and wasteful of previous efforts. Peace makers on both sides have spent no less than 17 years to bring us to this juncture. There is enough goodwill on both sides to bring this agreement to its conclusion, one that would renew and refresh communities in the most deprived regions of the country with a genuine ‘fresh start.’

In its final paragraph in its cover letter, the Peace Council wrote:

“ We express in the report our support to the passage of the BBL, together with our recommendations on a few provisions. We hope that Congress and our people can overcome their prejudices. We cannot pursue peace on the basis of mutual fear and distrust. All of us must undertake an active search for justice, truth, respect, love and peace...We do so with trust and faith that other citizens like us will decide that the BBL places peace within our grasp – peace for Mindanao and peace for all Filipinos.”

The Peace Council believed that the path to peace required that there be trust and goodwill on both sides. But the legislators and politicians who are vocal opponents of the BBL are  open about their distrust of a Muslim autonomous government.

It is true that the long history of conflicts between Christians and Muslims has  led to mutual distrust and suspicion. But those who oppose the BBL should be made to understand that the real goal is not just setting up an autonomous region but peace in Mindanao.

Those who oppose the BBL should be asked to present their own alternative to finding the path to peace in Mindanao.  If  there is no alternative plan presented, then are the opponents of BBL  now saying that since the Christians are the majority in this country, all minority groups  must subject themselves to the will of the majority – that any  Bangsamoro Law that the majority presents must be accepted by the Muslim minority whether they like it or not?

Is this the path to peace being proposed by the opponents of the BBL?

Pope Francis speaks to Congress

The speech of Pope Francis to the joint session of the US Congress has many lessons for our own Senators and Congressmen.  In the United States, Carson, a leading Republican candidate, said he would not accept a Muslim as president of the United States because Islam does not reflect the values of the United States. Presumably he was talking about Christian values.  In the Philippines, there are also those who believe that non-Christian values is not an acceptable part of the foundation for our nation. Here is what Pope Francis said:

“ All of us are quite aware, and deeply worried by the disturbing social and political situation of the world today. Our world is increasingly a place of violent conflict, hatred and brutal atrocities committed in the name of God and of religion. We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism.”

The Pope went on to say: “But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil;, or, if you will the, the righteous and sinners. The contemporary world,...demands that we confront every form of polarization which would divide it into these two camps. We know that in the attempt to be freed of the enemy without, we can be tempted to feed the enemy within. To imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place. That is something which you, as a people must reject.”

Pope Francis has a final message to all politicians: “We are asked to summon the courage and the intelligence to resolve today’s many geopolitical and economic crises. ...Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well being of individuals and of peoples. We must move forward together, as one...cooperating generously for the common good.”

Not just for the good of Christians or Muslim but for all Filipinos.

Where the Write Things Are’s  Classes for Kids and Teens

Young Writers’ Hangout on October 3 (1:30-3pm)at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street and Write Away! Weekend: Flash Fiction Writing with Gabriela Leeon October 24 (1-4pm) at the Canadian American School Alphaland Makati Place.For registration and fee details contact 0917-6240196 / [email protected].

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