(“If this does not get done during
the presidency of President Duterte, we seriously doubt if we can do it at all,
in the future. President Duterte is now our only and last card.”)
— Kagi Al Haj Murad
March 27, 2018
Upon request of the MILF leaders,
President Duterte met with them in Matina Enclaves last night in Davao City.
Secretary Adelino Sitoy of the presidential legislative liaison office (PLLO)
and I joined the president and Special Assistant to the president Bong Go.
This is part of the previously
agreed arrangement that there will be periodic and regular meeting of both
sides as efforts for the eventual passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) are
underway in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
President Duterte reiterated to them
his continuing and consistent desire and commitment to install the enhanced
government structure and governance that will hopefully solve the root causes
of the moro rebellion and address the historical injustice suffered by the
bangsamoro over generations.
The President said he would assist
even to the extent of relaying to both chambers of Congress his determination
to help push for the passage of the BBL that is compliant with the
comprehensive agreement of the bangsamoro and as close as possible to the new
draft law submitted by the bangsamoro transition commission.
In the event this does not take
place in Congress, he said he would go to the extent of even exercising his
residual powers thru administrative directives to fulfil this commitment.
The timely meeting yesterday also
dispelled negative speculations following the visit of President Duterte the
other day in Jolo, Sulu where he told the Tausogs that he would meet with moro
leaders at the soonest possible time due to reported opposition of some
bangsamoro leaders (in Sulu, Basilan & Tawi-tawi) to the BTC-crafted BBL.
He again stressed the “inclusive” character of the new BBL where all tribes and
sectors, including non- Muslims will benefit from the new BBL when it is
finally entrenched.
During the meeting former President
Gloria Arroyo in a phone conversation with me and Kagi Murad, committed to
support the BTC-drafted version that Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez authored. She
said she would withdraw authorship of her previously signed bill to fast track
the approval of the new version. Senate sub-Committee chair Senator Miguel
Zubiri, who was then in London also said the Senate would act on the bill
before Congress adjourns “sine die” on May 15 this year.
Kagi Aj Haj Murad of the MILF said
they never doubted the sincerity of President Duterte in his commitments.
“If this does not get done during
the presidency of President Duterte, we seriously doubt if we can do it at all,
in the future. President Duterte is now our only and last card,”
Kagi Murad said.
President RR Duterte and Peace adviser Jess Dureza |
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