LUCENA CITY—Former House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said on Saturday that some provisions of the proposed Bangsamoro basic law (BBL) are questionable.
Suarez said that some provisions in the BBL were unconstitutional, which might lead the Supreme Court to stop its implementation.
Suarez cited a provision that grants the power of taxation, such as having the Bangsamoro its own customs with the power to collect port taxes. He also said the provision that provided air right would be a sensitive issue that could give the Bangsamoro the right to deny the passing of airplanes in their territory unless given permission.
Likewise, Suarez found it questionable the provision on Maritime Control Kilometric Distance within its sea territory.
He said that he was not against the BBL but only to make some provisions on the right place.
Challenges mark 1st year of peace pact
PRESIDENTIAL Peace Adviser Teresita Quintos Deles on Friday night expressed hope that the peace process will emerge stronger despite recent challenges it faced, particularly after Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters gunmen massacred 44 Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano, Maguinanao.
“I admit we are bruised and feeling battered, but we are here to proclaim we still stand firm [in pushing the peace process],” Deles said in a speech during a book-launch event in Intramuros, Manila, marking the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
“The past two months are psychologically and physically battering, but the last two weeks affirmed that the way we have responded made the process stronger,” Deles said, recounting the alleged outpouring of support for the peace process from various sectors such as academe, international community, business groups, and civil-society organizations through statements of support and activities organized to advocate peace and push for the passage of the proposed BBL.
“The results will be a stronger process and a stronger BBL with more people onboard,” she said.
Gideon Belen / Philippines News Agency