By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, March 30 (PNA) – Malacanang on Monday defended the National Peace Summit, saying its purpose is to scrutinize and explain the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to the public in a prudent and reasonable way without stirring up anger and hopelessness.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda made this comment after Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said the creation of the citizens’ council was tantamount to admission that the BBL contained provisions that were unconstitutional.
”Rep. Zarate should not inject his unsupported presumptions to an otherwise clear presentation of the purpose of the National Peace Summit,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda said Zarate should revisit the address to the nation by President Benigno Aquino III during the first anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
In his speech, President Aquino said the council will make a report to the public after the National Peace Summit “so that everybody can read and fully understand” the proposed BBL.
The President has invited citizen leaders with knowledge and integrity as independent convenors of the council.
Among those invited include Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Howard Dee, and Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman. (PNA)