‘No need for Cha-cha to implement Bangsamoro Basic Law’

MANILA, Philippines - There is no need to amend the political provisions of the Constitution to implement the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which seeks to create a parliamentary form of government to run the new autonomous region in Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said yesterday.

Rodriguez, president of the Centrist Democratic Party and chairman of the 75-member ad hoc committee that will deliberate on the draft BBL, said that Article 10 of the Constitution provides for the election of members of the executive and legislative branches of government of autonomous regions.

“The Constitution simply provides for the election of the executive and legislative branches, in general, so the parliamentary form of government (in the proposed Bangsamoro autonomous region) conforms to the Constitution,” Rodriguez told The STAR.

Under the BBL, the new autonomous region will be run by the Bangsamoro government, whose powers will be vested in the parliament. The executive functions of the Bangsamoro parliament will be exercised by a Cabinet that will be headed by an elected chief minister.

The parliament will also exercise legislative functions and elect its leaders headed by a speaker.

The proposed Bangsamoro parliament will have at least 60 members who will include representatives from non-Moro indigenous peoples.

Rodriguez said the Senate and the House aim to enact a Bangsamoro Basic Law by Dec. 16, or before Congress goes on break, to allow the Commission on Elections (Comelec) time to prepare for a plebiscite.

The Comelec must be given 90 days to prepare for the plebiscite under the law.

“Our timetable is that we should have the plebiscite by February or March. We’ll hit the ground running,” Rodriguez said, adding the panel will be having its organizational meeting this week.

He also said the committee will conduct hearings even during the recess next month.

“All Filipinos will benefit from a lasting peace in Mindanao. Peace does not only bring order and security, but it will also help uplift the lives of the people there. For as long as the BBL does not violate any provision of our Constitution, every lawmaker should support it,” Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian said.

Last month, the lawmaker met with local leaders of the cities of Cotabato and Koronadal as well as local executives of the municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Sultan Kudarat and Datu Abdullah Sangki to solicit their views and opinion on the BBL.

“The challenge for the BBL is to raise the level of investments in the region. The peace pact will guarantee that the Bangsamoro will be a fertile ground for the much-needed investments. A peaceful environment is a pre-condition to businesses, and when there are more economic opportunities, it will be easier for people to rise from poverty and be financially independent,” he said.

However, Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, who is secretary general of the ruling Liberal Party, said it would not be easy for Congress to pass the BBL and there would be lengthy and contentious debates, especially on the issue of its constitutionality.

Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas, on the other hand, expects some questions on the wealth-sharing aspect of the BBL.

“There will always be spoilers and we already expect some people questioning the constitutionality of the BBL. But achieving peace and prosperity in Mindanao is something that we’ve been yearning and praying for, so we will work really hard to make it happen. This might be our last shot in our quest for peace in Mindanao,” Sarmiento said.

He noted that while the government is hoping for the swift passage of the BBL, this will be done through careful and exhaustive consultations and the people ultimately will have the sole power to decide on the proposed creation of the new Bangsamoro entity.

“Definitely there will be no shortcuts. This will go through proper consultation and ultimately, the people will decide through a referendum. All voices shall be heard, all ideas considered, and even the style and language will be open to suggestions from all stakeholders. The Bangsamoro Basic Law will have many authors: 100 million Filipinos representing an entire generation devoted to the cause of peace,” Sarmiento added.