Anticipating parliamentary warfare during this week’s plenary debates on the proposed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Representative Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales, II warned yesterday that the peace measure’s “opt-in” provision, if not weeded out, might spell rough sailing for Malacañang’s priority bill.
He said some of his colleagues expressed strong opposition to the provision which includes local government units (LGUs) contiguous to the new Muslim region and covered by the 1976 Tripoli Agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to join the Bangsamoro area, making Section 3 of the approved Ad Hoc panel report the most contentious provision.
“Kung may 30 na controversial issue diyan, ’yung opt in ay from number 1 to 25. Kaya ako personally, to give BBL a chance, I am not saying na it will be an easy sailing for BBL, pero matanggal ’yung opt in provision, medyo mas luluwag ng kaunti ang pagpasa nito (If there are 30 controversial issues, the opt in provision covers 1 to 25. Personally, it will not be an easy sailing for the BBL, but it’s best chance is to remove the opt in provision),” he said in a radio interview.
He said it may not be a deal breaker for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), but “it is a deal breaker for the congressmen.”
MANILA BULLETIN
