Congress urged: Work first before campaign

KUALA LUMPUR – President Aquino appealed to members of Congress to work first before campaigning for the 2016 elections and pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) along with the proposed P3.002-trillion national budget before the end of the year.

In an interview with reporters after attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and related summits on Sunday, Aquino said he was consistently talking with members of Congress about the BBL.

“There’s an expectation that they will be able to pass the budget on time, which means before the end of the year. Everybody has agreed that they will shift the focus from the elections to the work that must be done,” the President said.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, whose country was facilitating the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, expressed belief that the BBL would be one of Aquino’s legacies.

Despite the long process to approve the proposed budget for 2016, Aquino said there was time for the Senate and House of Representatives to tackle the BBL and other important bills.

Aquino noted that Senate President Franklin Drilon earlier said the BBL remains a priority of the Senate.

“Maybe he could relay to everyone involved that we really have an opportunity to change the situation and the reality in Mindanao,” Aquino said.