The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which will be called Organic Act of the Bangsamoro in Muslim Mindanao (OABMM) when enacted, can be used as a “test case” towards Federalism, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said yesterday.He expects the autonomy bill to be ratified by the Senate on Monday during the opening of the Third Regular Session of the 17th Congress.

The BBL was approved by the bicameral committee last Wednesday after six days of marathon hearings.

“The Senate President is expected to give a brief overview on what has been done so I am preparing for that, a brief one, and then we are going to ratify the Organic Act of the Bangsamoro in Muslim Mindanao,” Sotto said.

Sotto described the OABMM as among the high-impact measures passed during the second regular session.

He said the government can use the OABMM, which will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) if approved by the Bangsamoro people through a plebiscite, as a “test case” for the efforts toward federalism.

“I would rather say that the Bangsamoro Organic Act is a good experimental…because this is a federal type. It’s better to see its effect and what will happen (in its implementation),” Sotto said.

If it fails, Sotto added the act can easily be repealed by Congress.

“It can be (a test case) since it is already there and this resolves so many issues, particularly the conflict in Mindanao. So this is a good test case,” according to Sotto.

He said two years, after its implementation, may be enough to see the actual effect of OABMM.

“In my personal opinion, in two years we will already see how their budget was used. More or less we will have a very good idea already on how the region was doing. How their work is being conducted,” Sotto added.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), whose top leaders have closely monitored the bicameral hearings since last week, welcomed the approval of the OABMM.

“Satisfied. It may not be a perfect law but it is good to start with,” MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said.

According to MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, the OABMM is 85 percent compliant with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) which was the result of decades-long negotiations between the government and the secessionist group.

“We are very happy,” Iqbal, who is also chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission which crafted the proposed BBL, said.

Iqbal added the MILF will now work on the approval of the OABMM by the Bangsamoro through a plebiscite being eyed within this year.

Zamboanga Rep. Celso Lobregat, however, is less optimistic as he said the Bangsamoro act will not be a silver bullet against conflicts in the region.

Lobregat said on radio while he acknowledged the proposed law will grant wider self-rule to Muslim minority, it will not provide an instant solution to the region’s problems on peace and order.

“This is one step towards peace, but the basic law is not a silver bullet that will instantly create peace after it is passed,” Lobregat said.

But the Zamboanga solon is optimistic the passing of the BBL is a step in the right direction.

“There are many other problems but, at least, it will be a step in the right direction,” Lobregat said. “We are hoping for the best, but we also have to check our expectations,” he added.

Asked about the possibility of other Moro groups contesting MILF’s leadership, Lobregat said: “That is one of the problems.”

The landmark law may succeed in bringing peace and stability in Mindanao but, when it comes to good governance, there is little chance for success, according to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

Drilon lauded the bicameral conference committee’s approval of the BBL but expressed concern on the bill’s lack of effective measures to address governance issues.

Mario J. Mallari, Elmer Navarro Manuel and Michael Pingol

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.