Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the next step now is to craft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and submit it to Congress, with the measure then being subjected to a plebiscite.
“Umaasa tayo sa kasalukuyang session ng Kongreso matalakay na at maging ganap ang pagtalakay para maipasa ito at ang plebiscite ay maidaos,” Coloma said on government-run dzRB raduio.
“(M)ay sense of urgency ang bagay na yan (This is one issue with a sense of urgency),” he added.
He added the aim is that by 2016, the measure will not only lead to a plebiscite but will also allow the election of the new officials of the Bangsamoro political entity.
The government envisions the Bangsamoro entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Coloma also said, “Umaasa tayo yan (ay) bibigyan ng attention ng ating mambabatas (We are hoping our lawmakers will give priority to this).”
PNoy welcomes signing
Coloma said President Benigno Aquino III welcomeed the signing of the annex, and congratulated the panels of both sides.
“Malugod na ipinaaabot ng Pangulong Aquino ang kanyang pagbati at pasasalamat sa mga kasapi ng Philippine at MILF peace panels sa paglagda sa ikaapat at panghuling annex on normalization kahapon sa Kuala Lumpur na siyang magbibigay-daan sa pagbubuo ng Bangsamoro Peace Agreement,” he said.
Coloma noted the Normalization annex provides for the gradual laying down of arms by the MILF and the decommissioning of its troops.
For its part, the government will also lessen the number of military forces in Mindanao, and help the MILF neutralize private armed groups.
The government will also implement social and economic programs for MILF members, he said.
“Ang mga pagsusuko ng armas ay pangangasiwaan ng isang third party decommissioning body alinsunod sa napagkasunduan ng dalawang panig,” Coloma pointed out.
Meanwhile, Coloma said the government panel fulfilled Aquino’s instructions to make sure the pact is:
– compliant with the 1987 Constitution
– reflects the lessons government learned from past peace efforts
– in line with the political, cultural and economic principles of both sides.
“Umaasa tayo malaki ang magiging kahalagahan nito malaki magiging impact nito sa katahimikan at ganap na kapayapaan,” Coloma said. — LBG, GMA News
