President mulls resignation if BBL not passed

President Duterte is considering resigning from office if the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will not be passed this year.

In his visit to Maguindanao Wednesday, the President put his presidency on the line as he pledged to facilitate the swift approval of the BBL next month.

“Let us fast-track the BBL… Nangangako ako na before May, lulusot ‘yan after – before the end of May, lulusot na ‘yan. ‘Pag hindi, baka magresign ako pagka-presidente. Inyo na lang ’yan hindi ko talaga kaya (I promise that it will be passed before the end of May. If not, I might resign from the presidency. It’s yours. I really can’t do it anymore),” Duterte said during the turnover of loose firearms in Buluan, Maguindanao.

Duterte admitted that he would rather step down if he could not resolve the problem of Muslim insurgency in the south.

“Wala ring silbi eh. Kung bigyan mo lang naman ako ganitong administrasyon, until the end of my term, frankly, I would rather resign. Napapagod na ako to solve the problem (It’s useless. If you give me this kind of administration until the end of my term, frankly I would rather resign. I’m getting tired trying to solve the problem),” he said.

Congress leaders have pledged to pass the longoverdue BBL by May 30 during a recent meeting with the President in Malacañang. Duterte previously warned of a renewed outbreak of hostilities in Mindanao if the government fails to pass the bill seeking to create the Bangsamoro region.

The President, meantime, asked the Moro community to give him time to ensure the proposed BBL would be approved this year.

“Give me time, this year. Hindi ako nag-next year, next election. This year. Kukumpletuhin ko ‘yan. Unahin muna natin ‘yung BBL,” he said during his Maguindanao visit.