By Argyl Geducos
President Duterte met with leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Davao City Tuesday night, reiterating his desire to fast-track the implementation of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
In a statement, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said, the meeting, held at the Matina Enclaves, saw the participation of MILF chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim, Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) chair Ghadzali Jaafar, and MILF Peace Panel chair Mohagher Iqbal.
“It is part of the previously agreed arrangement that there will be periodic and regular meeting of both sides as effort for the eventual passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law are underway in both the House of Representatives and the Senate,” Dureza said.
He added, “President Duterte reiterated to them his continuing and consistent desire and commitment to install the enhanced government structure and governance that will hopefully solve the root causes of the Moro rebellion and address the historical injustice suffered by the Bangsamoro over generations.”
Duterte, said Dureza, also assured MILF leaders he would even go far as to use “his residual powers through administrative directives to fulfill this commitment.”
The president believes the “inclusive” character of the new BBL will benefit all sectors concerned, including non- Muslims.
Dureza added that former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had already given them assurance of her support of the BTC-drafted version of the law that House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez authored.
“She [Arroyo] said she would withdraw authorship of her previously signed bill to fast track the approval of the new version,” he related.
“Senate sub-Committee chair Senator Miguel Zubiri also said the Senate would act on the bill before Congress adjourns ‘sine die’ on May 15 this year,” he added.
Meanwhile, Murad said the MILF never doubted Duterte’s commitment to the BBL.
He is hoping all the hard work will saw fruition during Duterte’s time.
“If this does not get done during the presidency of President Duterte, we seriously doubt if we can do it at all in the future. President Duterte is now our only and last card,” Murad said.
