Palace confident of BBL passage before December 16

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is confident of getting lawmakers to approve the dormant Bangsamoro Basic Law before their Dec. 16 Christmas break.

“Let’s wait,” was presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda’s short but confident reply when asked by Palace reporters about the chances of the BBL getting passed, considering the persistent lack of quorum ahead of the holiday recess.

The same confidence was aired by Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. who was present during Aquino’s caucus with administration lawmakers Tuesday at Malacañang.

 “In my opinion, they’ve responded positively to the President’s call. Let’s just wait for developments on this,” he said in Filipino. 

Sources say Aquino offered more than P1.5 billion in projects to House members, but administration lawmakers reportedly wanted P50 million in cash each, apparently with the May 2016 elections in mind.

Even Aquino himself, in an interview with Manila-based reporters who covered him in his Europe tour, expressed confidence that the administration measure would be passed. The measure is pending in plenary in Congress.

“I am still confident that there is still a very strong push that can be made. I think the movement towards having the BBL in its present form or with a little modification is really just a question of time. It will happen,” he told newsmen in a sit-down interview in Rome.

Coloma issued a statement Tuesday about Aquino’s luncheon meeting with a little over 100 House members, but didn’t mention if the House leadership under Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. assured passage of the BBL before the year ends.

“Speaker Belmonte and House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II led the House delegation, while the President was accompanied by Cabinet members led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.,” read Coloma’s press statement.

No bribe

Gonzales meanwhile denied reports of Malacañang’s dangling P1.5 billion worth of projects to lawmakers to get them to pass the BBL.

“That’s an absolute lie,” Gonzales told The STAR in a text message when asked about the alleged bribe.

He said such an offer could not have happened as the meeting included lawmakers who were against the BBL as well as members of the opposition.

He stressed Aquino did not make any offer of any kind, but only warned of the resurgence of extremism in the country if the BBL, which seeks to create a new autonomous region in Mindanao, is trashed.

Gonzales said Aquino told them the opportunity to pass the landmark bill may not come again.

Another senior administration lawmaker, who declined to be identified, said Aquino could not have made the offer as the latter was known to be a tightwad, insensitive even, to the needs of members of Congress.

The denials came after the chamber resumed yesterday deliberations on the BBL after weeks of a lack of quorum.

More EU funding

As lawmakers resume deliberations on the BBL, the European Union has vowed to continue its support for Mindanao and the peace process with additional funding assistance of 5.5 million euros or about P275 million.

In a press briefing yesterday, EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said the economic bloc has decided to increase its funding support for Mindanao in recognition of the commitment of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to peace.

“The European Union is impressed by the government and the MILF’s commitment to the peace process despite the delay in the adoption of the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Jessen said.

“Inspired with this firm resolve to peace, the EU’s eagerness and readiness to support the calls for a negotiated political settlement in Mindanao remains,” he added.

“The program will contribute to peace building and conflict mitigation, support the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro and strengthen local institutions and political processes,” Jessen said.

The EU is one of the biggest foreign donors to Mindanao peace and development. It said grants for Mindanao are being channeled through the Non Violent Peace Forces, NGO Development Program and Center for Humanitarian Dialogue.  – With Paolo Romero, Richmond Mercurio, Pia Lee-Brago