Palace hopes substitute BBL of Marcos embodies MILF peace deal

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Tuesday renewed its call for the passage of a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that adheres to the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"Ang posisyon natin dito ay malinaw. Kailangang magkaroon ng Bangsamoro Basic Law na magtataguyod at magsusulong sa prosesong pangkapayapaan at may mga mahahalagang probisyon ito na naaayon sa mga kasunduang nilagdaan ng Philippine at MILF panels," Communicatons Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing.

Coloma made the statement after Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, filed a committee report on Monday containing the substitute bill for the BBL version submitted by Malacañang and backed by the MILF.

Coloma said he has yet to read the substitute BBL filed by Marcos, but he assured that the Palace is coordinating with Congress regarding the passage of a BBL that will ensure lasting peace and progress in Mindanao.

Coloma added that the committee report filed by Marcos and signed by 17 senators is an indication that the upper chamber is ready for the plenary debates on the BBL on August 17.

He expressed hope that the Senate deliberations will advance the Bangsamoro peace process.

"Ang ating tinutukoy dito ay ang pagsulong sa prosesong pangkapayapaan at umaasa tayo na magkakaroon ng kaliwanagan ang mga isyu na ilalahad nila, bahagi ng kanilang pagtatalakay sa draft BBL," Coloma said.

On Wednesday, Marcos will sponsor on the Senate floor his substitute BBL, which he described as an "all-inclusive measure" since it carried the "applicable advocacies, positions, and proposals of all the stakeholders."

He said his measure will "establish a strong mechanism for peace" in the south.

"My legislative staff and I really worked on it and we did everything we could in order to ensure that the substitute bill can and will stand constitutional challenges. Also, we put things we deemed necessary so that it will be accepted by the people and will lay the groundwork for peace in Mindanao," Marcos said.