Zamboanga bizmen decry ‘tyranny’ in BBL voting
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Business leaders scored proadministration congressmen in the House ad hoc committee for allegedly railroading the voting process for amendments to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
The businessmen were also concerned that the BBL may not pass the scrutiny of the Supreme Court and may trigger further conflict in Mindanao.
They also slammed the undue influence of pro-administration and pro-Bangsamoro law representatives for exercising the "tyranny of majority" in the voting processs.
"It is a sold-out peace. This is a glaring example the members of Congress were not respecting the voice of the people. Remember 'salus populi suprema lex' or 'vox populi vox' (the voice of the people is the voice of God)," said Pedro Rufu Soliven, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) regional chairman for Western Mindanao.
Soliven said the House panel wasted people's taxes in going around for the public hearing but disregarded the proposals.
Soliven said they believed that after the crucial meeting called by Aquino in Malacañang with administration congressmen in the House panel, "it is safe to say it (voting) is sold out."
Businessmen are also very concerned about the territory provisions of the BBL which will affect industries in Western Mindanao, Soliven said.
He said the territory provisions of the proposed BBL are "not in harmony" to the Zamboanga's position as an agri-marine fisheries corridor, Soliven added.
"The current (BBL) provision if not rectified will be running contrary and counterproductive to what we are trying to promote and develop our peninsula," Soliven said.
Businessman Bong Ramos said, meanwhile, Aquino must reconsider his position in rushing the peace agreement.
"It was a heartbreaking scene seeing them raising their hands even if the provision they asserted was clearly unconstitutional," Soliven said.
Soliven stressed that despite opposition to the process in the Lower House, they are supportive of a constitutionally sound BBL with the stamp of approval of the Supreme Court.
Zamboanga Representative Celso Lobregat had been proposing amendments to the new, Palace-drafted version of the law, but his motions are being voted against by ad hoc committee members.
The House ad hoc committee worked over time and was able to finish voting the main provisions of BBL draft after more than 12 hours on Tuesday night.
The ad hoc panel ended reviewing and voting on the 109 pages of chair and vicechair’s draft on the proposed BBL per line and section during the second day of the voting session at around 10:30 p.m.
Among the last amendment made was the withdrawal of provision on division of parliamentary seats per district. This would be left to the House plenary to decide upon.
Reports said that a total of 32 amendments have been cleared for the 18-article proposal.
One of the significant proposals approved is the removal of BBL provision for the ceremonial head of Bangsamoro region otherwise known as “wali.” The sustained deletion of this provision garnered 22-15 votes.
The House also granted the provision that amends restoration of powers of the Bangsamoro government over Bangsamoro settlements.
The amendment calling for the appointment by the chief minister of two deputy chief ministers for south and central Mindanao was also approved, as well as the election of deputy speakers for the parliament, and salary grades for the Bangsamoro officials.
The Committee also agreed that the Bangsamoro government will be mandated with the concurrent power to promote and uphold the rights of non-Moro indigenous people.
While the House panel approved several provisions, they also approved on deletion of a number of provisions such as the section stating a budget for the Bangsamoro electoral office, five-page provision on the right to education in Article VIII (Basic Rights), and creation of Bangsamoro command.
The House proposed that the national government should create units of armed force for the Bangsamoro instead of a regional command.
Removal of the provision stating that the chief minister may request the president to call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines to act was also permitted.
During the marathon voting session, the allotted P7-billion special development fund intended for the first year of Bangsamoro autonomous region was also approved.
The committee, with Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus as chair, is set to reconvene for the final voting of entire bill on Wednesday afternoon.
The plenary deliberations on the bill are expected next week.