President Aquinoand It is highly likely the Bangsamoro Basic Law will be passed

STA. CRUZ, Davao del Sur -- President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Friday that it is highly probable that the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be passed by Congress as congressmen work towards voting on the legislation that aims to bring lasting peace to Mindanao. May meeting kami, if I’m not mistaken, next week with the House of Representatives, precisely to push for the passage of the BBL. Si Congressman Rufus Rodriguez tells me na patapos na sila doon sa tinatawag na stage 'turno en contra' at pagkatapos ‘noon pagbobotohan na. So, maganda pa rin ang pag-asa na maipasa ‘yung BBL, the President told reporters during a media interview held following the inauguration of Aboitiz Power Corporation's base load power plant here.On how the administration would sustain peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) despite the non-passage of the BBL, the President said his government has been carrying out initiatives that open up economic opportunities for MILF combatants.Even before both sides began drafting the BBL, the government has been implementing the Sajahatra program, which provides skills training to former MILF combatants so they would become fruitful economic players, he explained. Meron na rin ‘yung governance courses na pinasukan ng mga ilang miyembro ng MILF para by the time that they are given a mandate, they have the skill, he added.When asked to comment on the reopening of the Senate investigation on the Mamasapano incident, President Aquino said the move is obviously highly politicized. Alam naman nating malapit na ‘yung campaign period. Sa ating mga katunggali, nakita nila na ito ‘yung parang pinakamabigat na dagok sa akin simula nang ako’y namahala. Siguro sinusubukan nilang samantalahin na naman ‘yung pagkakataon,” he said, adding however that he will not be emotional in responding to the issue.He noted that the report on the Mamasapano incident, while it has been signed by several senators, is not yet a formal Senate report because it has not reached the plenary. So, kung tutuusin, hindi pa siya actually Senate report. Magandang pagkakataon ito para makumpleto natin ‘yung picture, ‘yung nangyari sa Mamasapano, mailagay na tama ‘yung record, he said.The President further said that recommitting the committee report hammered by Senator Grace Poe is an insult to her, as returning the report to her committee makes it appear that it is flawed. Palagay ko sa lahat ng mga pangyayari, nakikita natin na malaking bagay ang pulitika. Huwag nating kalimutan ‘yung pasimuno nito, siguro maiintindihan natin na malamang may sama ng loob sa aking administrasyon,” he added. (PNA)LGI/PND/RSM and//www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=0