By Jasmin Romero, ABS-CBN News

 

MANILA - "I don't fully agree with it at this time."

 

This is what former President Fidel V. Ramos thinks about the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

 

Speaking to the members of the academe, media, and students at the 3rd Islam and Democracy Forum, Ramos said that while he fully supports the final peace agreement, he believes it is lacking because there was not enough time to sort it out, especially when it came to the law's direct beneficiaries.

 

"Ang kulang ang panahon. Kasi you will not take these things for granted just because there is a very expert panel -- Malaysian and Philippines -- put it together, (it) does not mean everybody will accept it automatically within the time frame established by the government," he said. "Hindi po. It doesn't work that way. In implementing anything, no matter how beautiful plan, it is the people on the ground who will make it work."

 

Ramos believes the Aquino administration should do more to make peace efforts a success. "You increase the chances of success if you prepare as thoroughly and as humanly as possible."

 

"We are all stakeholders," he said.

 

Ramos said there must be a continuous training of Bangsamoro leaders.

 

"Eventually iyung mga mahahalal na chief minister, minister, o something lower of the Bangsamoro Judicial Entity, must be well trained from the very beginning... na he's got the proper patriotism, the proper caring, sharing for others and for the Republic of the Philippines. That is not an independent entity. That is part of the republic," he said.

 

Ramos said confidence-building measures should be established and strengthened.

 

"This is much more important than any big infrastructure programs. Our brothers and sisters are tired of war," he said.

 

"We need to build inclusive politics by developing points of convergence in which our political groupings can meet. This is what we did in 1992. We created a National Unification Commission under the chairmanship of one of our great UP alumni, Dr. Heidi Yorac," Ramos said.

 

"Our basic strength must come from unity of purpose, which is to have a better future for younger Filipinos," he said.