MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / May 26, 2014) – The Philippine government said it is still reviewing the Bangsamoro homeland law to ensure that the draft is within the legal framework of the Constitution.
The Aquino government signed a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, in March and the law would government the new Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.
The MILF said Aquino was supposed to sign the draft law on May 25 and then pass it on to Congress for ratification before Muslims can vote in a plebiscite what provinces would comprise the Bangsamoro region.
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is currently comprise of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, including the cities of Marawi and Lamitan.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government is working very hard on the review of the draft law and Aquino himself made several follow ups with the legal team.
“The President himself has made several follow-ups on the legal team but the President is also cognizant and is understanding of the task that is at hand,” Valte said.
Valte also said the President saw the three-inch thick draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law and quoted Aquino as saying “I am very cognizant of the urgency but I’m also understanding of the task at hand.”
“Nagche-check na din si Pangulo kung kamusta na ‘yung review,” she said.
Peace Adviser Teresita Deles expressed confidence that the draft bill would be submitted before Congress adjourns on June 7. She said Aquino wants to make it sure that he certifies the draft as urgent that can be defended in Congress during deliberations.
Deles said the Aquino does not want false promises to achieve a lasting peace in Mindanao which for several decades ravaged the region.
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