Office
of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita
Quintos Deles showed her typical strong resolve and proclaimed that she,
together with the proponents of the peace process, were not giving up on the
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and that the Bangsamoro aspiration for genuine
autonomy and self–determination is within grasp.
“For the sake of those communities and especially their children, we dare not give up now. After all the tests and trials that this peace process has gone through, we do not give up now,” said Deles who spoke at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) forum with Government of the Philippines peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Moro Islamic Liberation Front panel chair Mohagher Iqbal.
“By any and all estimation, the passage of the BBL has been deferred. There is no other way to put it. But we are confident and cautiously optimistic that this dream will not be deferred for long,” she added.
“Where we are now, I must insist that we are returning to a better place. With all peace activists left standing – and we are stronger now and joined by far-seeing pillars of society – we are steadfast in laying claim that this dream will not be deferred for long.”
Deles also stressed that the commitment and vigilance of proponents and actors in the Bangsamoro peace process remained firm towards its successful completion.
“Both panels and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission have been closely monitoring the progress of the bill in both chambers of Congress and have diligently tracked the changes being proposed and which have been adopted by our lawmakers.”
“The leadership of both Houses of Congress have held firm that they are looking to pass the law sometime between the end of September and early October,” she added.
FOCAP, one of the country's most prestigious and respected media organizations, was founded in 1974 during the Martial Law years. Its membership is composed of representatives from more than 50 international news agencies, publications, radio and TV networks.
“I will no longer count the ways nor mull the whys, but you know that our timeline has become a moving target since February and we are now working within a very narrow window of opportunity,” shared Deles.
The OPAPP secretary said that they were aware of the complication of having the BBL further delayed. "What happens if the BBL is not signed into law by the time of the filing of the certificates of candidacy? Under what law and for what positions will the prospective candidates in the existing ARMM and the proposed Bangsamoro file for?”
“What about the period of transition? Will there be sufficient time for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to sit and govern and prove its worth before facing elections?”
“The decommissioning component, which was successfully launched last June 16, even with the BBL seriously stalled in Congress… cannot proceed further until the law is passed,” she added further.
On September 10, 2014, President Benigno S. Aquino III officially transmitted to both chambers of Congress the original BBL that was drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and was reviewed and finalized by the Office of the President.
Both chambers submitted substitute bills, known as the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR), which are currently being tackled at the respective plenary of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The substitute bills carry significant differences that cut back on the exercise of autonomy in the proposed autonomous region. However, proponents of the peace process and members of the civil society view the House version as closer to the intent and purpose of the original draft.
Ferrer lamented that many amendments in the substitute bills were done out of distrust and fear that the Bangsamoro will secede. For instance, the word 'territory' was replaced with 'area' to refer to the geographic scope of the Bangsamoro even though 'territorial jurisdiction' is used for local governments in the Local Government Code.
Ferrer also cited the two iterations in the amended Senate bill that the Bangsamoro shall remain "an inalienable part of the Philippines."
Ferrer also noted that the amended Senate bill sought to protect local governments at the expense of the envisioned regional government.
She clarified that while protecting the powers of local governments is legitimate, these should not get in the way of establishing genuine autonomy for the region, as both local and regional autonomy are mandated by the 1987 Constitution.
"The autonomous region plays an integrative role over the LGUs,” she noted, appealing that the allocation of powers between the regional and local governments should be balanced and objective, and should not be done out of fear and distrust.
Asked how the parties are building trust with legislators and other stakeholders in the peace process—especially in terms of countering fears and distrust that the Bangsamoro will lead to secession—Iqbal noted “a personal approach is really helping building trust,” and that “what is important is you need to open communication.”
“There is some improvement in this regard, especially in the Lower House” Iqbal said, noting that the Bangsamoro Transition Commission have been engaging many House members.
Iqbal also added that the MILF remains “open for improvements and enhancements,” but emphasized that “what is important is the essential elements of a real autonomous government are there [in the BBL].” In his capacity as BTC chair, he added that he respects the plenary power of Congress over legislation, but issued an appeal that “the autonomous government should have powers that would really allow that entity to stand on its feet.”
Deles underscored the important role that FOCAP and other media organizations and outlets play in this democratic discourse when she said the group “has always been a constant and sensitive partner of this peace process.”
“For the sake of those communities and especially their children, we dare not give up now. After all the tests and trials that this peace process has gone through, we do not give up now,” said Deles who spoke at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) forum with Government of the Philippines peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Moro Islamic Liberation Front panel chair Mohagher Iqbal.
“By any and all estimation, the passage of the BBL has been deferred. There is no other way to put it. But we are confident and cautiously optimistic that this dream will not be deferred for long,” she added.
“Where we are now, I must insist that we are returning to a better place. With all peace activists left standing – and we are stronger now and joined by far-seeing pillars of society – we are steadfast in laying claim that this dream will not be deferred for long.”
Deles also stressed that the commitment and vigilance of proponents and actors in the Bangsamoro peace process remained firm towards its successful completion.
“Both panels and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission have been closely monitoring the progress of the bill in both chambers of Congress and have diligently tracked the changes being proposed and which have been adopted by our lawmakers.”
“The leadership of both Houses of Congress have held firm that they are looking to pass the law sometime between the end of September and early October,” she added.
FOCAP, one of the country's most prestigious and respected media organizations, was founded in 1974 during the Martial Law years. Its membership is composed of representatives from more than 50 international news agencies, publications, radio and TV networks.
“I will no longer count the ways nor mull the whys, but you know that our timeline has become a moving target since February and we are now working within a very narrow window of opportunity,” shared Deles.
The OPAPP secretary said that they were aware of the complication of having the BBL further delayed. "What happens if the BBL is not signed into law by the time of the filing of the certificates of candidacy? Under what law and for what positions will the prospective candidates in the existing ARMM and the proposed Bangsamoro file for?”
“What about the period of transition? Will there be sufficient time for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to sit and govern and prove its worth before facing elections?”
“The decommissioning component, which was successfully launched last June 16, even with the BBL seriously stalled in Congress… cannot proceed further until the law is passed,” she added further.
On September 10, 2014, President Benigno S. Aquino III officially transmitted to both chambers of Congress the original BBL that was drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and was reviewed and finalized by the Office of the President.
Both chambers submitted substitute bills, known as the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR), which are currently being tackled at the respective plenary of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The substitute bills carry significant differences that cut back on the exercise of autonomy in the proposed autonomous region. However, proponents of the peace process and members of the civil society view the House version as closer to the intent and purpose of the original draft.
Ferrer lamented that many amendments in the substitute bills were done out of distrust and fear that the Bangsamoro will secede. For instance, the word 'territory' was replaced with 'area' to refer to the geographic scope of the Bangsamoro even though 'territorial jurisdiction' is used for local governments in the Local Government Code.
Ferrer also cited the two iterations in the amended Senate bill that the Bangsamoro shall remain "an inalienable part of the Philippines."
Ferrer also noted that the amended Senate bill sought to protect local governments at the expense of the envisioned regional government.
She clarified that while protecting the powers of local governments is legitimate, these should not get in the way of establishing genuine autonomy for the region, as both local and regional autonomy are mandated by the 1987 Constitution.
"The autonomous region plays an integrative role over the LGUs,” she noted, appealing that the allocation of powers between the regional and local governments should be balanced and objective, and should not be done out of fear and distrust.
Asked how the parties are building trust with legislators and other stakeholders in the peace process—especially in terms of countering fears and distrust that the Bangsamoro will lead to secession—Iqbal noted “a personal approach is really helping building trust,” and that “what is important is you need to open communication.”
“There is some improvement in this regard, especially in the Lower House” Iqbal said, noting that the Bangsamoro Transition Commission have been engaging many House members.
Iqbal also added that the MILF remains “open for improvements and enhancements,” but emphasized that “what is important is the essential elements of a real autonomous government are there [in the BBL].” In his capacity as BTC chair, he added that he respects the plenary power of Congress over legislation, but issued an appeal that “the autonomous government should have powers that would really allow that entity to stand on its feet.”
Deles underscored the important role that FOCAP and other media organizations and outlets play in this democratic discourse when she said the group “has always been a constant and sensitive partner of this peace process.”
Amidst the negative propaganda on the BBL and the renewed discussion on the Mamasapano incident, Deles spoke of how [FOCAP’s] “generally fair, balanced, and incisive reportage has been especially crucial during the trying times of this peace process – and we have certainly had too many of these trying times.”
“When fear reigns, when emotions run high, when the judgment of the public is at best clouded, you have been there to help restore a semblance of rationality and sense, if not of purpose.”
"We ask that you continue to accompany the peace process in ensuring that this dream will not dry up. Let us together make sure it will flourish, flower, and bear fruit—fruits that our children can enjoy in abundance, in a country that knows no war and tolerates no injustice; a country that is peaceful, harmonious, and progressive; a country that has room enough for all its people and all their aspirations,” she said. (OPAPP)
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