Lawmakers urged to offer mature BBL perspective

Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero attends the senate hearing for the Mamasapano clash. Also in the picture, Senator Grace Poe. (Facebook photo)

MANILA — Civil society advocates urged lawmakers to present a more “mature” perspective on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Instead of “bashing and prejudging the proposed law before the public” the lawmakers must offer reasonable claims, according to the Mindanao Civil Society Organizations Platform for Peace (MCSOPP).

“A reasoned scrutiny of the BBL will come if legislators set aside their prejudicial views about Muslims, appreciate the distinct history of the Moros as a people and, most important, study the proposed law well so they would understand what it intends to achieve,” Candido Aparece Jr., spokesman of MCSOPP said in a report for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

This came following Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero’s statement saying  they are against BBL because it may lead to the creation of a separate Bangsamoro republic.

The two made the statement when they visited Koronadal City on Saturday.

“This is ridiculous. By saying that, Poe and Escudero are clearly not studying the proposed measure, and it has been already more than nine months in their hands,” Aparece said.

“How come they concluded there would be a separate republic?

Is it because they just want to be different from the views of (President Aquino) on the BBL? That is flimsy and characteristic of opportunistic politicians,” he added.

Aparece also said that Poe must have been “dragged” along by other lawmaker’s view.

“In the case of her recent comments on the BBL, it seems she was just dragged along by the none-too-clear views of Chiz (Escudero).”Aparece said.

“If Senator Poe wants to be seen as someone who can lead this country with firmness and determination despite being a political greenhorn, she should be discerning about her position on issues,”

In view of the coming elections, Aparece warned against the use of BBL as a “kick ball” among politicians.

“The BBL is hoped to be an instrument for social justice.

That should be respected for what it seeks to achieve and not used as a kick ball in the political intramurals of 2016,” Aparece said.

“If that is difficult to achieve in the House of Representatives because many of its members are consumed with their parochial interests, we expect the senators to provide political maturity.”