CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, although he favors the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), is still skeptic about it and even called it "a crazy idea" during his visit to Cagayan de Oro over the weekend.
Duterte told reporters in a press conference at Pryce Plaza Hotel on Saturday afternoon that he is worried on what the BBL will bring to the future generations of Mindanao, expressing concern on how the Manila government can make wrong decisions for the country's south.
“Ang ayaw ko sa Manila. They make wrong decisions for Mindanao. They act as if they know everything about our land, and then put us in jeopardy,” he said.
He even called the BBL a “crazy idea,” and fears that it would only promote discontent to Mindanaons rather than forging peace.
Instead, Duterte pressed on federalism, a system of governance that he favors for the country. “The commander-in-chief should have all the control up to the last soldier of the country,” he said without elaborating.
Extended deliberation
For his part, Senator Bongbong Marcos said that while the BBL is nearing its end of deliberation, he sees the possibility of it getting extended.
“If it (BBL) were a basketball game, we are on the last two minutes of the hearings,” said Marcos, assuring the people of Mindanao that the deliberation would come to a conclusion, but despite the deadlines set, an extension in the deliberation is likely to happen.
Marcos said he wants to pass a BBL that is “thoroughly and conscientiously studied,” and a BBL that unites Muslims and non-Muslims in Mindanao.
He added that the “draft BBL,” as submitted to the Congress, cannot stand on its own. “It is our job as legislators to make the BBL right,” he added.
However, Marcos made it clear that so far, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is now open for the BBL’s changes, saying: “Sa umpisa, sabi nila no changes, pero nag-soften naman ang kanilang position.”
He said the committee is making changes because it is necessary.
He also enumerated issues surrounding the BBL. Among these are constitutional, political, administrative, and economic issues, but he assured the committee is taking time to hear all the sectors and what they have to say about the BBL.
The senator reiterated that the BBL is a “work in progress,” and it will only succeed if the public supports it.
Asked on what’s the best way to obtain Mindanao peace, the senator cited the Tripoli agreement as an example.
“The Tripoli agreement is the only successful peace agreement, it recognized the principle of governance, recognized that there is a difference between Christian Filipinos and Muslim Filipinos because of their culture, history and religion, thus formed an autonomous region,” he said.
Rotary guests
Marcos and Duterte were both guest speakers in the 31st District Conference of Rotary Club of the Philippines-District 3870 held at Pryce Plaza Hotel on May 9.
Later, they were placed in a "hot seat" when asked about their interest in seeking for the presidential post come 2016 elections.
Asked whether Marcos will run for president, he said quoting his father, “I will keep my options open.”
He added that the 2016 election is still distant. “Marami pang lilitaw na interesado diyan,” he told the reporters during a press conference on Saturday morning.
Yet, he thanked the public for pushing him to become president, adding that “all politicians would want that. That’s the highest of all, right?”
Duterte, for his part, maintained he would not vie for the presidential seat.
“Dili nako ma-picture na magtrabaho ko pagka-presidente na. It is not an easy job, tiguwang naman ko, ngano mangita paman gyud ko'g problema (I cannot imagine myself working as a president. It is not an easy job. Why would I ask for more problems when I'm already old),” he said.
Instead, Duterte named Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Grace Poe, and Francis Escudero as potential presidential bets. He added, though, that, “If you really want a good president, look at Davao.” (PJ Orias/Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro)