CBCP exec urges gov’t: Don’t rush BBL

A Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) official has urged the government not to rush the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law ( BBL), warning of possible complications in the peace process with Muslim rebels.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, who chairs the CBCP committee on public affairs, said President Aquino should not pressure lawmakers,

especially his allies, into passing the BBL by giving them a deadline.

Pabillo also noted that achieving real lasting peace in Mindanao is far more important than Aquino leaving BBL as his legacy.

“Let us not pressure our lawmakers because it (BBL) is something that will stay with us. This should be discussed thoroughly. We already waited 17 years, so why can’t we wait for just a few months this time?” he said in an interview over the weekend.

“Peace will never come out because of a piece of paper. It might even be complicated… Even if there is a written law, if it will not bring real and lasting peace, then that is not legacy. That will even put him (Aquino) in a bad light,” the bishop stressed.

The CBCP official said the President should instead give all stakeholders the chance to be heard.

Pabillo lauded lawmakers who do not succumb to pressure from Malacañang, which earlier expressed its desire for the passage of the BBL before Congress adjourns on June 11.

Chairman of the Senate committee on local government Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said he would not commit to the June approval of the bill as he still wants to hear the views of other stakeholders on the BBL.