PH Gov’t, MILF face challenges in Bangsamoro draft

President Benigno Aquino III at the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Malacanang Photo Bureau

MANILA, Philippines–Although the peace process towards an autonomous Mindanao region is underway, President Aquino admitted that both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are up against some challenges hindering its completion.

Nonetheless, the President expressed his optimism that things would progress, despite setbacks in the schedule of submission of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) draft bill to Congress for approval.

The revised bill is set to be handed to Malacañang on Monday; upon which the President said he will certify it as urgent, in order to speed-up the approval in both chambers of Congress.

Congress had originally set a May 5 deadline for Malacañang to submit the draft bill; but the Palace missed this date, having pointed out areas of major revision to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. Both panels once more held several closed door meetings to resolve their differences and work on changes to the draft.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma stressed on Sunday that despite the delay in the drafting of the BBL, the President is “determined to complete the peace process which would bring lasting stability and development to the Bangsamoro.”