DAVAO CITY – The Makabayan bloc today hit the Malacanang version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) saying it fails to provide full and genuine autonomy to the Bangsamoro people.
Lawmakers also said it fails to address the socio-economic causes of the armed conflict in Mindanao.
The Makabayan bloc, which includes representatives of progressive partylists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela Women’s Party, Kabataan, and ACT Teachers said BBL “fell far short of and does not adequately address the aspirations of the Bangsamoro and indigenous peoples’ struggle.”
The group explained that (1) the BBL grants not full but only limited autonomy; 2) genuine autonomy can never be possible under a neo-colonial, semi-feudal and corrupt state and ruling system; and 3) the BBL does not address the social and economic roots of poverty and injustice.”
They also said Malacanang has a hand in the committee voting on the BBL “considering that the bill is being railroaded so fast that congressmen are at a loss on what is going on and at the expense of transparency and procedure.”
“This situation was forced upon by the majority by cancelling last week’s amendments but rammed a Malacanang-version which was just given early yesterday. This also seems to be a prelude of the final voting,” Makabayan said.
