Senate vows to address ‘gray areas’ in BBL draft before approval

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has assured that they will address all concerns in drafting the final version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Zubiri, chair of the Senate sub-committee on the BBL, made the assurance as he spearheaded a public consultation on the proposed BBL at the gymnasium of the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College here Friday.

Several concerns were raised by city government officials led by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, 1st District Rep. Celso Lobregat, and 2nd District Rep. Jose Manuel Dalipe.

“We will be closely working with the Technical Working Group (TWG) 24/ 7 for one week with the BTC (Bangsamoro Transition Commission),” Zubiri said, adding that they are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, February 13.

Salazar, Lobregat, and Dalipe announced that they support the peace process and want long-lasting peace to be achieved.

Salazar said Zamboanga City supports the passage of the BBL but strongly opposes the inclusion of this city in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) that will be established in place of the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

“Our stand really is that we support BBL because it will benefit other parts of Mindanao. However, we oppose the inclusion of any of the city’s 98 barangays and municipal waters in the Bangsamoro region,” Salazar said.

“Rest assured I will be there till the very end, fighting for Zamboanga City’s interest, standing firm for what is best for Mindanao, defending the Constitution and protecting the Republic. I am for peace, I am not anti-peace but I am not for appeasement at the expense of the Republic,” Lobregat said.

Lobregat earlier said that the assurance of the Senate committee on BBL and the BTC is not also enough to justify that this city is not included in the proposed Bangsamoro territories, not unless those pending unconstitutional provisions contested are resolved in the committee level.