CSOs storm HoR, observe plenary session
The group wanted to show their dismay and frustrations on the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) last January 27.
The protesters representing inter-faith individuals who observed the HoR session on BBL had been pushing for the passage of CAB-based BBL.
"There were more than 300 Moros and non-Moros who joined the protest, who since the BBL was turned-over to leaders of congress had been lobbying for the passage a CAB-compliant Bangsamoro Law yet majority of the lawmakers were not listening to our call”, said Kamim Macmod, Regional Coordinator, UNYPAD Luzon Cluster.
“House Ad Hoc Committee Chairman Rufuz Rodriquez doesn’t have the heart and concern for the well-being of the Moro people. He distrusts us, and he didn’t want the Moros to live peacefully,” said Macmod.
“He is a thorn to President Benigno Aquino’s administration…we thought he’s on our side but he emerged as anti-peace,” Macmod said further.
During the first attempt of the CSOs to enter the plenary hall, they were denied access by House security personnel.
“Perhaps it is because we were wearing clothing that contain phrases or words that represented our sentiments and disappointment of the 16th Congress for their failure in passing the Bangsamoro law that will ultimately end violence in Mindanao,” a representative of the ABOPAD said.
However, upon the instruction and guidance given by Lanao Del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong, the groups successfully entered the plenary hall.
The protester occupied the seats inside the plenary hall and silently observed the on-going session. However, when they saw that ‘nothing is new’ in the process; they got frustrated and suddenly walked out of the session hall.
Yoly Esguerra, the National Coordinator of Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) said “BBL was put to waste because of the dismal performance of the lawmakers, who didn’t even bothered to engage in intelligent debates during plenary sessions. Thus, the challenge becomes even greater for the electorate to decide in the upcoming elections," she said.
“For us, this defeat is just temporary. We will start anew. The playing field is even leveled. We now know who are the better public servants,” Shalom Allian of Nisa Ul Haqq fi Bangsamoro, said.
Badrudin Ali of UNYPAD said "We will work hard to ensure that the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) is pushed whoever gets elected.”
Beth Yang, National Coordinator of Pilipina said that the peace groups surely learned lessons from this “bitter” experience.
“We will return to the 17th Congress with a louder voice, better understanding, much deeper commitment, and more unified support for the enactment of a law that will bring just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” she said.
The organizations that successfully entered the Philippine Congress were: Alliance of Bangsamoro Organizations for Peace and Development (ABOPAD); ALL OUT PEACE!; Al Mujadila Development Foundation (AMDF); Balay Rehabilitation Center (Balay); BAWGBUG Advocates for Peace and Human Rights; Center for Peace Education (CPE); Community Organizers’ Multiversity (COM); Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS); Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZOPI); Generation Peace Youth Network (GenPeace); International Initiatives for Dialogue (IID); Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus (MPC); Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN); National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) NGO Sectoral Council; Nisa Ul Haqq fi Bangsamoro (Nisa); People’s Alternative Study Center for Research in Education and Social Development (PASCRES); Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI); PILIPINA- Ang Kilusan ng Kababaihang Pilipino; Tarbilang Foundation; United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD); United Youth of the Philippines (UnYPhil)-Women; Urban Poor Associates (UPA); Women Engaged in Action on UNSCR 1325 (WE-Act); Women’s Peace Collective.