Senate ready to craft new Bangsamoro Basic Law- Drilon

MANILA,Philippines - Senate President Franklin Drilon on Monday said the Upper Chamber is ready to work on crafting the new Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Drilon made the statement in line with the historic signing of the Framework Agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Philippine government on March 27.

"The Senate is more than ready to work on the new Bangsamoro basic law – one that would be universally fair, practical and Constitutionally-consistent. The public can expect our commitment to the Bangsamoro not only for the sake of national progress, but also for the welfare and future of the entire Southeast Asian region," Drilon said.

He then said that Congress "looks forward to scrutinizing the proposed Bangsamoro law that will institute the necessary reforms called for in the Agreement," and that the law will be given utmost priority in the Senate.

"The signing of the Bangsamoro agreement is not only for our country, it is also a testament to our Asian neighbors and to the whole world that though shaped by our diversity, we are much more defined by our common dreams of  peace, equality and prosperity as a nation," Drilon said.

Drilon said that the country can now better devote its efforts towards social, economic and political development, amid growing aspirations for regional strength and inter-state solidarity throughout the entire Southeast Asian region.

"The success we have made are not limited within our nation, as the Bangsamoro plays an ever- crucial role in ASEAN regional security. The Bangsamoro shall be a beacon of cooperation and tolerance among the major Muslim constituencies in Southeast Asia, where it will be an example of what can be achieved when we shun extremism and violence in its every form," he said.   

Drilon said that for the peace to last, the government must "build upon this spirit of reconciliation with policies that will ensure good governance, social equity and the thorough rule of law which the people of Mindanao have long sought for."