MALACANANG yesterday said the government welcomes changes in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as long as these “do not dilute true autonomy.”
The pronouncement came even as Senate President Franklin Drilon vowed to closely examine the law following Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration that he would come out with a substitute bill.
Drilon said that should not be a cause for alarm.
The Aquino adminstration has “always been open to changes that do not dilute true autonomy which is what the BBL is trying to achieve,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. “We will continue to work with Congress on the matter.”
On Wednesday, Marcos, chairman of the Senate committee on local government, disapproved the proposed BBL after eight of nine Mindanao governors present during the public hearing on the measure disapproved the proposed bill.
Marcos said the proposed BBL submitted to Congress has “flaws that will lead to more bloodshed instead of achieving lasting peace in Mindanao.”
Marcos clarified he supports the achievement of a lasting peace in Mindanao but pointed out that if they would only patch problems discovered on the draft measure then the public might not be able to recognize its original thrust.
He vowed to present his proposed version in the next public hearing set on June 9.
“I don’t think the statement of Sen. Marcos should cause much concern. This is the position of the senators from the start, we will examine closely the BBL,” Drilon said.
Drilon said Marcos has the prerogative on what to do to make sure that the BBL is within the four corners of the Constitution.
“Nobody has said that we will not revise the BBL as submitted by the Palace. We have always said that we will review and make sure that the BBL is within the four corners of the Constitution. This is something that all senators agree on,” Drilon said.
“Once the committee report has been submitted, we will debate on it. The Senate is a collegial body. No one can dictate. The senators are all independent. They have their own independent assessment of the situation and we will debate on this,” Drilon said.
Drilon said the debates would focus the constitutionality of the BBL, on whether it would result in peace in Mindanao and for protection of national interest.
“I have my own studies but I will not make it public until the debates are in the floor,” Drilon said.
Marcos has said his substitute bill will be based on 14 public hearings, including five conducted in Mindanao particularly in areas to be covered by the proposed Bangsamoro government.-pna
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