Duterte pushes Congress again on BBL passage

President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he was waiting for Congress to take action on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) so the administration’s campaign for a federal form of government could push through.

The President stressed that the passage of BBL, which aims to form a Bangsamoro political entity in Mindanao, was still a “personal commitment.”

“We are waiting for the BBL. Actually, it’s a commitment. That’s the centerpiece of my campaign, actually was Mindanao,” Duterte said.

“Because if you are not — if you are not going to fix it, I said, there is trouble. And I have been very frank with you. Ever since (2016 election) campaign, I see that there’s a looming of dark clouds also that would involve the Moro of Mindanao,” Duterte added.

Head of the Western Mindanao Command Lt. Gen. Carlito Jr. said that fighters associated to the Islamic State (IS) exploited the feelings of hopelessness and frustrations.

“The passage of the proposed BBL will negate the frustrations of the IS members,” Galvez was quoted as saying in an Inquirer report.

“If the proposed BBL and the government were able to deliver and address the Bangsamoro question squarely, I believe there is a chance that we can accelerate our fight against the IS,” Galvez explained.

According to Galvez, if the proposed BBL will not be passed, it will definitely “create a lot of emotions.”

The proposed BBL explains the basic structure of the proposed Bangsamoro autonomous state in Mindanao, a key feature of the shift to a federal government which was being pushed by Duterte.

“That is really my commitment. I gave them my word. Otherwise, if you don’t want to believe … then be prepared for a fractured Mindanao,” he added.

Duterte also asked patience from the Moro Islamic Front as congress deliberates on the draft BBL.

President Rodrigo Duterte appealed for patience from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as Congress deliberates on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

“I hope that the BBL guys, MILF would understand that in a democracy there is always a process, and sometimes it gets very hard to just move,” Duterte said in a press conference in Davao City last Saturday.

“And especially, with the sentiments involved, eh hindi naman ito (it is not an) automatic na boto (vote) for no or yes, but I am asking for their patience,” he added.