Palace reminds lawmakers to pass BBL on time

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday reminded congressmen of the need to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.

 Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Palace is coordinating with House leaders on the matter.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. over the weekend said time is running out for Congress to pass the BBL because they would soon be busy with the proposed P3-trillion national budget for 2016.

 In an interview over dzBB, Belmonte said the leadership of the House of Representatives has addressed the issue of quorum, citing “very good” attendance during plenary sessions in recent days.

 He said time is running out because many lawmakers have expressed their intention to interpellate the proponents of the measure. 

Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said yesterday it would be sooner and easier for Mindanao businessmen to gain from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations economic integration with the establishment of the new autonomous government under the proposed BBL.

“If the Philippines is to grow, if it is to gain a leading place within the Southeast Asian region and the entire global community, we will have to continually work toward the intertwined goals of peace and progress,” Deles said during the Mindanao Business Conference held in Dipolog City.

“Winning the ASEAN, Gaining the Global Market” is the theme of the conference this year.

Deles said a stable peace process is among the crucial factors that would help Mindanao propel its position in ASEAN trade.

Golden age

 At the same conference, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said Mindanao is standing on the threshold of a “golden age.”

He cited President Aquino for his efforts to ensure Congress’ immediate approval of the BBL.

“This is the time when you in Mindanao have the most to gain and the most to lose if in the event the efforts of peace will not come to pass,” Roxas said.

“It is a golden age where the two sides of the coin, peace and prosperity, can reign.”

The conference adopted a resolution expressing the full support of Mindanaoans to government efforts to achieve lasting peace, economic prosperity and security in the region.

The business leaders also urged Congress to “accurately reflect” the results of the consultations on the BBL.

Deles updated businessmen on the status of the BBL, adding members of the government peace panel remain optimistic that Congress would pass the measure.

House ad hoc committee on the BBL chairman and Cagayan de Oro second district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said Congress would work overtime to ensure the passage of the measure.

Deles said the holding of the conference, which coincides with the observance of the National Peace Consciousness Month, underscores the need for the business sector to remain united behind government peace initiatives “if we are to win the ASEAN, if we are to gain the global market.”

Investment opportunities

Deles reiterated the statement of economist Cielito Habito during the conference on the need to pass the BBL, citing “huge investment opportunities” in Mindanao.

“The BBL, or whatever version it takes, will unleash so much more investment opportunities in Mindanao especially the untapped Muslim Mindanao,” Habito said. “Mindanao is very well positioned already because ASEAN is an Islamic market.                –With Jose Rodel Clapano