PRESIDENT Aquino wants Congress to rush approval of the controversial Bangsamoro basic law for Muslims in Mindanao, not for his “legacy” but to give BBL-transition officials enough time to mount projects under the new entity before the 2016 election ban on government infrastructure projects takes effect early next year.
Aquino pleaded with lawmakers not to wait until next year to pass the BBL that will pave the way for the abolition of the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in favor of a new setup.
“Iyong bagong mode of governance diyan, huwag naman nating paabutin ng Enero [2016] kung kailan sila mag-uumpisa dahil, pagdating ng Marso, election ban na, wala na silang magagawa. Tapos sasabihin ng taumbayan, ‘e wala palang silbi ito,’” Aquino told reporters.
The President explained this was the reason he wants both the House and the Senate to fastrack passage of the measure, but made clear that Congress is free to amend the Palace-endorsed legislation now being scrutinized by lawmakers.
“So, itinutulak natin [ang BBL], daanan nila, amyendahan nila kung dapat amyendahan, ipasa, iharap natin sa taumbayan at magkaroon ng supisyenteng pagkakataon ipakita kung bakit mas mahusay itong iminumungkahing sistema nila,” Aquino added.
The President, at the same time, played down lawmakers’ concern that certain provisions of the BBL version endorsed by Malacanang may lead to legal challenges for being unconstitutional.
‘Well, that’s an opinion at this point in time,” Aquino said, recalling that some members of the Constitutional Commission that crafted the 1987 Constitution already “explained the constitutionality” of the BBL. He added: “Naintindihan natin maraming pagkakataon para makatawag ng pansin lalo na’t napipintong eleksyon ay darating na sa susunod na taon. Pero isang mahinahon na diskusyunan at pakikipag-uganayan, pagsuri nila dito sa BBL e palagay ko makikita nilang it will withstand the test of constitutionality.”