MARAWI CITY,
Lanao del Sur, Jan. 25 (PIA) --- A young Moro professional has
appealed to peace advocates in the province to amplify the cause of the
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
Samira
Gutoc-Tomawis, former assemblywoman in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM), said there is a need to explain the controversial contentions and the
benefits of a BBL that is based on the Comprehensive Agreement on the
Bangsamoro (CAB) to legislators.
“The BBL is a 17 year process but that is not felt. The
legislators are not supermen or women who can read through hundreds of pages
and provisions in just one sitting and understand the document that we have
internalized for 17 years, she cited during a multisectoral forum on the BBL
held in Marawi city recently.
Tomawis also urged young communicators and heads of offices
to use the power of the pen and their organizations to encourage legislators to
pass the BBL.
“Use the power of the internet to share statements of support
and other online resources pushing for a genuine BBL. The benefits of genuine
autonomy and decentralization as guaranteed by the Constitution must be
appreciated by them, she said
She further said that peace advocates can contribute by
reaffirming their role in spreading the lessons in solidarity, tolerance and
respect to the right of self-determination of the Bangsamoro people who has
suffered so long.
In the same forum, Government Peace Panel Legal Team Member
Atty. Mohammad Al-Amin Julkipli gave assurance that they are continuously
coordinating and lobbying with the legislators and are ready to provide support
and technical assistance in defense of and in explaining the contents of the
BBL in its original form.
He said the government is hopeful that the BBL will be passed
any time before legislators go on break.
Julkipli also reiterated that despite the challenges in
pursing the passage of the BBL, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) will not give up.
“No one is giving up. Both parties are still working towards
achieving the objectives of the peace process, which is to pass a meaningful
BBL that will address the two main problems of keeping security and improving
governance in Mindanao,” he said.
Julkipli added that the entire Philippines will ultimately
benefit if these two problems will be addressed. (APB/PIA-10)
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