By Francis Wakefield
The ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law by the House of Representatives is a step closer to the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza (Keith Bacongco / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza said the bill is now ready for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte who will sign it anytime now. "It's been a long and arduous road for all," Dureza said.
"When President Duterte approves and signs it into law, it will be a new beginning for all Bangsamoro and all citizens to work for a better and peaceful Mindanao and country. It will not be easy. But let's all stay the course," he added.
Meanwhile, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said that he is happy that the House of Representatives (HoR) finally ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
Jaafar said now that both houses of Congress have ratified the law, it's up to President Rodrigo Duterte to immediately sign it.
"Syempre masaya kami, masaya tayo kasi tiyak naman lalagdaan ito ng mahal nating Pangulo (Of course we are happy, I am happy because I'm sure our beloved president will sign it)," Jaafar said.
"Iyan po ang isinusulong niya, iyung maitayo yung Bangsamoro Government at 'yun kanyang pangako hindi po binitiwan yan (That's what he has been promoting, to build the Bangsamoro Government and that promise has been kept). At matitiyak ko rin 'yung mga kababayan natin, mga kapatid ko sa ground masaya sila ngayon (And I'm sure our countrymen, my brothers on the ground are also happy)," he added.
Jaafar said the ratification by the Congress of the Philippines of the BOL would mean the establishment of a Bangsamoro Government that will ensure a just and dignified peace in their place.
He said they expect President Duterte to immediately sign the BOL.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law is part of the political track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) – a peace deal that was signed between the government and the MILF in 2014.
The law will strengthen the current autonomy set-up for the Moros in Mindanao, giving them more control over their resources and political power over the new Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza (Keith Bacongco / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza said the bill is now ready for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte who will sign it anytime now. "It's been a long and arduous road for all," Dureza said.
"When President Duterte approves and signs it into law, it will be a new beginning for all Bangsamoro and all citizens to work for a better and peaceful Mindanao and country. It will not be easy. But let's all stay the course," he added.
Meanwhile, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said that he is happy that the House of Representatives (HoR) finally ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
Jaafar said now that both houses of Congress have ratified the law, it's up to President Rodrigo Duterte to immediately sign it.
"Syempre masaya kami, masaya tayo kasi tiyak naman lalagdaan ito ng mahal nating Pangulo (Of course we are happy, I am happy because I'm sure our beloved president will sign it)," Jaafar said.
"Iyan po ang isinusulong niya, iyung maitayo yung Bangsamoro Government at 'yun kanyang pangako hindi po binitiwan yan (That's what he has been promoting, to build the Bangsamoro Government and that promise has been kept). At matitiyak ko rin 'yung mga kababayan natin, mga kapatid ko sa ground masaya sila ngayon (And I'm sure our countrymen, my brothers on the ground are also happy)," he added.
Jaafar said the ratification by the Congress of the Philippines of the BOL would mean the establishment of a Bangsamoro Government that will ensure a just and dignified peace in their place.
He said they expect President Duterte to immediately sign the BOL.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law is part of the political track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) – a peace deal that was signed between the government and the MILF in 2014.
The law will strengthen the current autonomy set-up for the Moros in Mindanao, giving them more control over their resources and political power over the new Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.