House failed Moro people: Lanao solon

By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS

DEPUTY Speaker for Mindanao Pangalian Balindong of Lanao del Sur and two other legislators walked out of the Lower House on Wednesday night after announcing that with a “grieving heart,” he was going to “close the book of hope for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.”

“Today, with a heavy heart and a disturbing sense of foreboding, I close the book of hope for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic law. Fifty-one public hearings, 200 hours of committee level debates and eight months of consultations are all put to waste–thrown into the abyss of uncertainty and darkness. This is the lowest and saddest day of my legislative work,” Balindong said.

With only three session days left next week before Congress adjourns, passing a basic law for the Bangsamoro will likely remain in the realm of a dream. The House is still on the period of amendments while the Senate has yet to resume its period of interpellation.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez last week said they were going to put to a vote on Jan. 27 HB 5811 or the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the substitute bill to the proposed BBL drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).

Balindong said not passing the BBL takes away “the hopes of millions of people in the Bangsamoro” for recognition of their distinct identity, protection of what remains of the Bangsamoro homeland, and the opportunity to exercise self-determination through a parliamentary form of government that will be run in accordance with the Moro culture, faith and way of life.”

“BBL will guarantee that as a minority, we stand in parity of esteem with our Filipino brothers and sisters,” Balindong said.

But by the sheer tyranny of the majority, “we have foreclosed all possible peaceful, legal and constitutional avenues for peace,” he said, adding that no matter the debates on the justness of the Bangsamoro cause, “no matter how we stand to legal reasoning, no matter how we shout for our constitutionally guaranteed right to genuine political autonomy, the reality is that there are only ten Moro legislators against the more than 280 members of this house. We are only ten lone voices in the wilderness of bias, prejudice and hatred.”

Mary Ann Arnado of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus told MindaNews that Balindong “was holding back tears while delivering his speech,”

She said Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema “was also crying,.”

“As they stepped out with (Sulu Rep) Tupay Loong, others followed them at the lounge. There was long silence at the plenary,” Arnado added.