Senator Sonny Angara has urged Mindanaoans to actively participate in the back-to-back hearings on the proposed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region that the Senate will conduct this week in the cities of Cotabato and Marawi.
Angara made the call on Wednesday before the graduating students of Mindanao State University (MSU) Main Campus during its commencement exercises for the first semester of 2017-2018.
“The proposed BBL is another chance to finally bring long-lasting peace and prosperity to Mindanao. This occasion is so important that we decided to bring the hearings here, right on the doorstep of those who will be most affected by this measure,” said Angara, who served as the keynote speaker of the first commencement exercises held at the MSU Main Campus right after the Marawi siege.
“Kung noon ay pawang mga mananakop ang sumulat sa kasaysayan ng Mindanao, ngayon, may pagkakataon na upang mismong mga mamamayan nito ang magbago ng kanilang kasaysayan. Nananawagan po tayo sa mga kapatid nating Mindanaoan na samantalahin ang oportunidad na ito,” added the chairman of the Senate local government committee.
The Senate BBL sub-committee, chaired by Senator Miguel Zubiri, will conduct the hearings at Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, ORG Compound in Cotabato City on Thursday, and at Dimaporo Gymnasium MSU Main Campus in Marawi City on Friday.
Angara has earlier stressed that aside from ensuring that the BBL is within bounds of the Constitution, it should be inclusive and a product of national debate and consultations.
The BBL is the enabling measure of the peace compact signed by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 2014. It aims to create a Bangsamoro political entity with enhanced autonomy.
The lawmaker said such law is an affirmative action towards attaining regional stability and economic development in Mindanao.
“Now’s the time to speak up. For the best laws are written directly by the people, and the ones understood and embraced by all. Dahil ang mga pinaka-epektibo at pinakamahusay na batas ay iyong napakikinabangan ng lahat at hindi ng iilan lamang,” Angara said. (Senate-PR)
