DAVAO CITY – Around 400 protesters belonging to the “Bangsamoro para sa Bayan Para sa Lahat” coalition staged a picket in front of the Senate building on Monday morning to call on members of the Committee headed by Sen. Bongbong Marcos to fast track the process for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
The protesters asked Sen. Marcos, who heads the Committee on Local Government, to finalize the vote on the BBL within the week “so as to synchronize the passage of the BBL with its counterpart bill at the House of Representatives, which is now currently awaiting plenary deliberations.”
Bawgbug Program Coordinator Abdul Malik Cleofe said the protest action is the start of a series of actions that calls for the immediate passage of the BBL.
“We feel that the sluggishness of the Committee in relation to coming up with a substantial discussion or position on the BBL is reflective of Sen. Marcos lack of commitment to the realization of peace in Mindanao and recognition of the right of the Bangsamoro for self-determination,” he said.
Cleofe also questioned the statement of Sen.Marcos that there was no consultation with the Sultanate of Sulu, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and Local Government Officials.
“I do not know who Sen. Marcos has spoken with, but several consultations were already conducted with all sectors concerned even prior to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). I hope that Sen. Marcos can prove his statement and show that this is not just a political maneuver to derail the passage of the BBL,” Cleofe said.
