Duterte on BBL passage: I am racing against time

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the ceremonial distribution of the Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries at the Sultan Kudarat Sports and Cultural Center in the Municipality of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on April 2, 2018, reiterates his commitment to implement genuine land reform as he recognizes the vital role of farmers in ensuring food security in the country. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The President disclosed that time is short for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“I am racing against time. The MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) is in a hurry and has placed us on the burden of a timeline and I have agreed to that period,” President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said in a speech on April 2, Monday.

“I gave my solemn promise and I assure you, I am working hard to meet the deadline,” he added.

Duterte was speaking in the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to land reform beneficiaries in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, when he mentioned BBL.

“Kaya ho ako (That is why I), this week, I will be in [a] conference with everybody and after that, I will go back to maybe Jolo to talk to [Nur] Misuari again if we can come up with an arrangement to arrive at a lasting peace,” he said.

The President also maintained his promise to promote peace with the Moros.

“I do not think that the MNLF (Moro National Liberal Front), MILF in government or in joint venture with government can go wrong.

We will see to it that justice is applied everyday, that fairness is observed.

You can count on me to do that,” Duterte said.

On March 13, Congressional leaders told the President that they are targeting to pass BBL by the end of May.

“Congressional Leaders: target date for BBL is May 30, 2018,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr.

wrote on his official social media accounts.

(Read: Solons set target date for BBL passage)

“We cannot fail on this (BBL). The next generation is counting on us,” Roque quoted Duterte as saying in the meeting.

In January, Duterte warned his critics that if BBL is not passed, war may ensue.

“Kung walang mangyayari nito sa BBL ngayon (If nothing will happen to BBL now) or we change the Constitution or do not change the Constitution at all, there will be war in Mindanao. I can assure you, mamili kayo (you choose),” Duterte said in his speech during the launching of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank).

“Hindi ko na ma-control ‘yan (I can no longer control that) and at this time, I said, it would be a double whammy because my enemy would be their friends, and who got – what would that be? It’s the ISIS (Islamic State),” he added.