By Catherine S Valente & Llanesca T Panti/Manila Times
The Bangsamoro Basic law, which will create a Bangsamoro region for the ex-separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), will not be passed into law before President Benigno Aquino steps down in 2016, former president Fidel Ramos predicted yesterday.
“Time is up. There are 15 steps (to its passage) and the administration has 24 months to do it. We are not yet in the Congress. It will still go through so much debates,” Ramos told reporters.
In his SONA, the president asked for Congress’ understanding for the delayed submission by the executive of the draft Bangsamoro Basic law which was returned to the Transition Commission.
The president attributed the delay to intense scrutiny that is needed to ensure that the Bangsamoro Basic Law will serve the interest and aspirations of the MILF and the government.
Ramos said the 1996 peace pact between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front should be implemented because it has the blessing of the Organisation of Islamic countries and the UN. “Make no mistake, I wish them well. But they should work a little harder,” he said.
In his State of the Nation Address yesterday, the president said it is important to review the proposed law thoroughly to ensure that it is “just and acceptable to all.”
Nevertheless, he said, “if we are able to enact the BBL into law before end of the year and a plebiscite (on the creation of the Bangsamoro entity) takes place next year, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority will be given a chance to prove our reforms were correct,” Aquino said.
The BBL, which will serve as the basis of the Bangsamoro autonomous entity, has been stalled at the Office of the President amid alleged issues pertaining to its constitutionality and adherence to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro , the final peace deal between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), was signed in March this year.
Ramos: unsure on law implementation
