Opinion. A Bangsamoro bill, substitute or not, is better than nothing at all

Reports have it that while President Benigno Semion “Noynoy” C. Aquino III was lambasting anti-BBL solons Maguindanao, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. told his audience at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila that a substitute bill being drafted during the current sine die adjournment of Congress will resolve the constitutional issues raised against the controversial bill.

Marcos, chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee and one of the critics of the peace measure, said that if Congress were to pass the BBL drafted by the MILF and the OPAPP, the measure would violate the 1987 Constitution and would be challenged before the Supreme Court.

“The remedy is either to amend the BBL to make it consistent with the Constitution or amend the Constitution to accommodate the drastic changes the BBL seeks to put in place,” he added.

“These are the peaceful, unifying, and constitutional ways of doing it. In the name of peace, let these be done. No shortcuts. No railroading. No violence. No threats of war,” Marcos said.

The Bangsamoro people bill, substitute or not, provided it reflects the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people, is better than nothing at all.

At least we have something to work on, build on and improve on in the delivery of basic services and allow the Bangsamoro people to enjoy a taste of a better life. Ranao Star