This is the 36th and last public hearing and consultation conducted by the ad hoc committee on the BBL at the House of Representatives.

 

House Members present: Hon. Victor Yu; Hon. Celso Lobregat; Hon. Tupay Loong; Hon. Pangalian M. Balindong; Hon. Bai Sandra Sema; Hon.Rufus Rodriguez; Hon. Democrito Mendoza; Hon. Jose Tejada; Hon. Rodolfo Biazon; Hon. Jose Almonte; Hon. Xavier Jesus Romualdo; Hon. Edgardo Masongsong; Hon. Mariano Piamonte; Hon. Henry Oaminal; Hon. Walden Bello; Hon. Ferdinand Hernandez; Hon. Silvestre Bello; Hon. Rudy Farinas

 

Other Guests/Resource speakers: Prof. Miriam Coronel Ferrer;  Datu Antonio Kinoc; Vice Gov. Santiago; Christian Monsod; Edmunod Garcia

 

Highlights of proceedings:

 

The hearing started with the Constitutional Commissioners who framed the 1987 Constitution. Christian Monsod began by reading the statement of the 14 1987 Constitution Commissioners who are unanaimously in support of the BBL.

 

Former Commissioner Edmundo Garcia was the second speaker, who started by showing a copy of the original copy of Constitution. He quoted Pres. Cory Aquino, who said that this Constitution is an imperfect document, an unfinished quest.

 

Garcia said that he worked on many peace processes, namely the ones in Africa, Latin America and Asia. He saluted the workers of the peace agreement. He said that the peace agreement provided opportunities and is a moment of grace.

 

On Bangsamoro, Garcia said that this is the first time the Constitutional Commission of 14 met in 27 years. Garcia concluded by pinpointing the 3 important points relating to the peace process:

 

1. Politics and economics of exclusion cause armed conflict

2. In many parts of the world now, the Consti is not a substantive document but a process

3. We have political imagination

 

The third speaker is Chito Gascon who reiterated the consensus of the 14 framers of the Constitution, adding that the BBL will survive questions of legality.

 

The fourth speaker was Rosario Gray, who said that the right way is to give power to the less privileged. She worked with UNESCO and said that her experience taught her the importance of not being contstrained by the box, by legalisms but look at processes. Not look at constitutionality but focus on change.

 

The fifth speaker was Dr. Villacorta, who started with a prayer, and said they support BBL and nobody wants war. The sixth speaker was Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan, who said that with due respect to the Consti Commissioners, their task is finished. He said that he will continue to listen to the voice of his people, the people of Sulu.

 

The seventh speaker was Gov. Nerbert Sahali of Tawi Tawi , who said that his people want peace. Gov. Tony Cerilles was the eighth speaker, and said that we are Filipinos first. The ninth speaker was Mayor Climaco, who said that Zamboangenos want just, meaningful and lasting peace. She called for a comprehensive and inclusive peace pact. She said that Zamboangenos consistently rejected the inclusion of Zambo City from the ARMM, citing the plebiscite.

 

She stressed that Zamboanga City does not want to be Bangsamoro, NOW or NEVER. She cited municipal waters (RA 8550) which states that the waters shall continue to be municipal waters of the city. She said that Zamboanga will never be part of BBL, saying the plebiscite is misleading: it should ask: are you in favor of the BBL. She said that we are one flag, one nation, ONE ZAMBOANGA CITY.

 

The next speaker, the tenth speaker was Councilor Mumur Lagajais of Isabela City, who said that the mayor maintains status quo. He said that they are supportive of the Peace Process but agrees with Hon. Rodolfo Biazon who stressed the need for more consultations with Mindanaoans to show them what thr BBL is all about.

 

The eleventh speaker was Hon. Kelly Antao, a board member of Cotabato, who cited resolution 130 and their position of support for the peace inititative.

 

The twelfth speaker was Vice Gov. Dennis Socrates of Palawan who cited Sec. 1 on the Bangasomor People, saying that he disagrees with the BBL that the Bangsamoro includes Palawan. He said Bangsamoro means Islamic State, and that it is purely gratutitous (including Palawan in BBL) and not supported by anthropological data. He said that Palawan opposes inclusion in Bangsamoro people.

 

He stressed also that Palawan is very far from Sulu and Mindanao and that the word “adjacent” is synonymous with contiguous. He cited Sec. 3 on areas which are contiguous may opt to be part of the Bangsamoro territory, saying it is so easy to be “sucked in” to be Bangsamoro and violates the state within a state provision in Sec. V, Art. III Constitution.

 

The thirteenth speaker was Gov. Joey Pelaez, who said that the people of Misamis Oriental follow, discuss BBL and truly wonder whether this will bring lasting peace or open the floodgates to more armed conflicts. He cited the LGU provisions. Pelaez also cited the BBL provision on education, saying that Art. V Sec. 3 gives exclusive authority to Bangsamoro over education and skills. He said that this is too broad and that this should be concurrent with central government. This should be concurrent with central government and there should be synchronization with the national curriculum.

 

The fourteenth speaker was Gov. Kali Dimaporo of Lanao Del Norte who said that we don’t need BBL, but clarified that without BBL there would be WAR. He said that he had committed six (and no more) municiplatiies who are open to the plebisicite. He said the Bangsamoro undermines the powers of Congress by having more power to create municipalities.

 

The fifteenth speaker Vice Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. of Agusan del Sur who was not prepared with a position paper, saying it was due to him being busy with relief ops from Senyang.