Local executives, IPs, CSOs and Christian groups call for passage of BBL

COTABATO CITY – Local executives from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Christian groups, Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) convened today to declare their support for the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that will address the historical injustice committed to the Bangsamoro.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said that the passage of the BBL will prevent conflicts like what had happened in Marawi.

“Let us not give the terrorists an opportunity to create a narrative that we are not true to our promises,” he said.

Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu expressed his full support to the bill for the future generation and for the unity of Muslims, Christians, and Lumads.

“If we (politicians) are a hindrance to the passage of the bill, then I’m willing to step down,” Mangudadatu said.

The Provincial Government of Cotabato on other hand has submitted a resolution to the Senate declaring their support to the proposed bill and calling the Congress and Senate to hasten its passage.

The IP community also shared their confidence on the gains of BBL once passed.

“We are optimistic that once that BBL is passed, we can achieve just and genuine peace, meaningful development and political and social empowerment,” Director Fatima Karakan of the Office of the Southern Communities of ARMM said.

Led by Subcommittee on the BBL, the public hearing held in Shariff Kabunsuan Complex was organized for the Mindanaoans to fully participate in the deliberations. The hearing will continue in Marawi City tomorrow.

The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the body tasked to create an inclusive Bangsamoro Law, presented the historical struggle of Moros for peace as well as the salient points of BBL in front of hundreds of local officials, IPs and representatives from different CSOs.

There have been two Senate hearings on BBL held in Manila in December 20 last year and January 23 where the Senate has thrown its full support on the passage of BBL with Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri calling it as “long-lasting political solution to achieve peace in Mindanao.”