Palace: Status quo in Mindanao not acceptable

THE Aquino administration will ensure that the envisioned Bangsamoro political entity will be established as status quo in Mindanao won't be an acceptable scenario for Malacanang, a Palace official said Tuesday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. stressed this as he said the government is focused on winning the peace in Mindanao by effecting needed changes.

"Government’s efforts are focused on winning the peace in Mindanao because the alternative to change is status quo and status quo is not acceptable," he said in the regular press briefing.

At the very least, he said the government will continue to perform its task of ensuring peace and stability and protecting the citizens.

Coloma also assured the public that the government has enough forces to maintain peace and order in Mindanao from various armed groups.

"It is still the primordial duty of the state to maintain law and order," he said.

He also said that Malacanang will ensure that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be passed in Congress.

He said that the Palace expects a debate on the issue.

But at the end of the day, Coloma said, "umaasa tayo na pagkatapos ng talakayan, pagkatapos ng mga debate, lilitaw naman ‘yung katwiran at ‘yung pagiging tama ng mga probisyon sa ipapanukalang Bangsamoro Basic Law, at ito ang magiging batayan ng ating mga mambabatas sa kanilang pagpapasya."

The 15-man Transition Commission headed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panel head Mohagher Iqbal is eyeing to complete the draft on the BBL by April and to be submitted immediately to President Benigno Aquino III.

Aquino has vowed to certify as an urgent bill the passage of the BBL so that a plebiscite could be held in Bangsamoro core territories.

The government and the MILF are targeting to hold the first election in Bangsamoro by 2016. (SDR/Sunnex)

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