Duterte assures passage of BBL before end of May

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the Maguindanao Balik-Baril Program launching at the Buluan Municipal Gymnasium in Maguindanao on April 25, 2018, expresses his commitment to provide the assistance to the Moro people. RENE LUMAWAG/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday reiterated his promise to fast-track the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), hoping it will be done before end of May.

“So let us fast-track the BBL. I promised that before end of May, it will be passed. If not, I might resign as President. It’s now up to you, I cannot do it anymore,” Duterte said in his speech at the launching of the Maguindanao Balik Baril program in Buluan, Maguindanao.

“Give me time, this year. I don’t want next year, next election. This year I will finish it, let’s finish first the BBL,” he added.

Duterte earlier said he prefers the passage of the BBL by Congress before proceeding with the amendment of the Constitution that would pave the way for the shift of government to federalism.

Meanwhile, in the “Balik Baril” program, more than 900 assorted firearms have been turned over in compliance with Dutete’s campaign against loose firearms.

“There are too many firearms and we’re doing nothing but to use them to kill people,” Duterte said.

“But you know, it is a fundamental rule that if we have firearms, use it for defense. It is not to wage war against your own country. We have only one country. We have nowhere to go if we will kill each other,” he added.

Duterte promised to “do everything” to achieve peace with the Moro rebels and the communist rebels.

“A Moro should be proud but a Moro should also understand a problem of his generation. A good Moro must provide a good future for his children,” Duterte said.

“I promise you, I will do everything. Hindi naman ako gaya ng ibang leader. Hindi ako nagbobola (I’m not the other leaders. I don’t flatter others). I do not have a duty to lie. When I said I love you all, I really love you all, every Filipino,” he added.

Duterte said he already talked with the leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front on how to achieve peace in Mindanao.

He urged the Moro people to believe in the national leadership and to his promise to do his best to solve the problems of the country.