DURING the historic signing of the comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed a significant point: “The Agreement we are signing today did not appear magically out of thin air, so too will our next steps have to involve the same trust and long term thinking that brought us to this shared triumph.”
Since then, the members of the Transition Commission have been working on these next steps to craft a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), consulting with experts and various stakeholders, and building consensus among its members. The President has said that he expects a law that is “equitable, practical, and empowering, and which serves the interests of the entire nation.”
The BTC has in fact submitted to the Office of the President the proposed Basic Law, in accordance with the mandate given to it.
We acknowledge the urgency behind the immediate passage of the BBL. However, we also recognize that a thorough, extensive and comprehensive review of the draft law’s numerous provisions is a necessary part of the process to ensure that these are consistent with what the parties agreed upon in the 17 years of peace negotiation.
At present, efforts have already been made to coordinate with the Senate and House leadership to ensure that the draft BBL is submitted to Congress when sessions resume in July.
We believe that investing time in this process will redound to the benefit of all, laying the foundations for peace, prosperity, and progress in Mindanao––a precious legacy that will be cherished by generations of Filipinos, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters in Mindanao, for years to come.
SGD
Hon. Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
Executive Secretary
SGD
Hon. Mohagher Iqbal
Chair, Bangsamoro Transition Commission
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