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By: Ben Contreras

THE government can learn lessons from John Perrine if it cares to listen carefully to what he said in the “BBL from the business perspective” interview.

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“They deliver everything they said they would. They never asked for anything more. They protect our investment.”

Deep in the heart of the Bangsamoro lands, Mr. Perrine’s investments were and are still protected not only because the people around are benefitting but because the MILF leadership lived up to its promises.

The bottom line is trust.

Is there a deviation from MILF chair Hashim Salamat’s thought to that of the current leadership? If the government did exactly what Mr. Perrine have done during those years, would the MILF still think of the BBL? I doubt.

Our Muslim brothers have been complaining of neglect. Maybe the government has not done enough in terms of investments and development in the predominantly Muslim territories. It could also be that investors are being harassed and development projects hampered by physical harm if not kidnapping of project personnel.

No more finger pointing. The past is now the past.

We can put the BBL behind and bring the government to their so-called neglected lands, bring investments like what Mr. Perrine did. Expedite the Mindanao Railway Project. Put all the government money not in the hands of politicians or leaders but give directly to where it is intended for. Let them participate in the elections as the MILF said they would. Let the MILF or the Bangsamoro open their lands to Christians, and guarantee their absolute safety. Perhaps, these will bring the peace that they want without any semblance of dismembering our nation.

Unless the Bangsamoro people think that they are citizens of the Republic of the Philippines, no amount of BBL will bring peace to Mindanao. I cannot imagine one admitting he is a Filipino but has no respect for our Philippine flag.

People seem to be asking why there has not been enough news about the result of the deliberations at the Lower House except for those that appeared at the social network. They asked: is there a news blackout? Is it because certain quarters are not happy with the result and that it did not conform to their expectations? Are we to expect more changes? Who would benefit of the changes? Would it be the Filipino people or only a few?

The Mamasapano incident became a telenovela-like story that was feasted on because of the emotional trait of Filipinos. Nobody came out with the truth right away, leaving people to speculate.

After the voting at the Lower House, the end result of the BBL text, with amendments or deletions, should be made available for the public to scrutinize within a reasonable time. Speculations should not be allowed to seep in because it’s going to be divisive again.

Whether it was a prelude to her presidential bid or simply part of her sorties to feel the pulse of the people, Sen. Grace Poe came in such a manner that guests were only a selected crowd.

Nothing from her speech was new but one thing about the BBL stood out. She pointed out the contiguous area which she felt may not be acceptable in the sense that, there has never been an effective way of determining the authenticity of signatures. That was short of saying “I don’t like it.”

Sen. Poe is certainly not quite a politician the way she talks and acts or while obliging the audience for picture taking. But then, it could also work for her, not being perceived as a “trapo.”

Poe for President? I still would opt for Duterte if he runs.

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