DAVAO CITY—The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) welcomed the passage of the Bangsamoro basic law (BBL) at the Lower House of Congress last week.
However, an Armm official hopes the final version at the bicameral session should not deviate from the original intention of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman said the passage in Congress of the BBL resurfaced anew the significance of the CAB, “as the passed measure is brought to the table of the bicameral conference,” which is scheduled this June.
“We in the ARMM continue to push for a Bangsamoro basic law that is compliant with the previously signed CAB,” Hataman said.
He added that the passage of the BBL “and the processes that have brought us to this point, had been sustained by the strength of generations and the faith of millions.”
“We express our gratitude to the 17th Congress and to the men and women who stayed the course to pass this law,” Hataman said. “We have every confidence that the final version of BBL will remain true, both to the spirit and the letter, of earlier frameworks and agreements with the stakeholders of the
Bangsamoro narrative.”
He hopes the BBL could “bring forth an institution that is capable of responding to the challenge of the times and to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro, unimpaired and free of the maladies that have afflicted the ARMM.”
The ARMM official said the BBL seeks to codify not only a law, “but a history of struggle and sacrifice by countless mujahideen [Moro warriors], their families and fellow Moros, as well as all of the Filipino people who were unwavering in their hope and their actions for peace, social justice, inclusiveness
and progress.”
Hataman added the Bangsamoro (literally, Moro nation) would rely their hope on the commitment of the national leaders to uphold the essence of the BBL.
While the passage of the BBL on third and final reading was “a step forward toward the realization of our hopes for the Bangsamoro, we recognize that the BBL will remain a piece of paper if we cease putting in the hard work it takes to
implement the law.”
“Let us not cease being vigilant,” Hataman said. “Let us ensure that this law works for our people, so we would not reopen old wounds, or old fears and despairs that can be exploited by those who wish to take us from the path of solidarity and moderation.”