MANILA, June 8 (PNA) — Malacanang remains committed to pushing the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which it deems a framework for peace and development in Muslim Mindanao.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda indicated the government’s commitment especially to people of Mindanao that the “status quo should be removed.”
“The status quo should be changed that even as we speak of a draft BBL, people are looking already at turning the island of Mindanao from a perpetual hope or a perpetual potential –or what we call a permanent potential into a reality where development and more investment will come into the Muslim Mindanao area,” he said.
Lacierda reiterated that the peace negotiations between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would always be done within the flexibilities of the 1987 Constitution.
“We have not veered away from that principle. We strongly believe that the BBL was drafted within those flexibilities and it is, therefore, to our mind, constitutional. Certainly, people will be asking or may question it but we are very firm in our belief that we can defend the constitution in whatever forum” he said.
Further, the Palace official cited Senate President Franklin Drilon who expressed confidence that the Bangsamoro law would be passed. (PNA)