Plan B: Duterte promises BBL for both MNLF, MILF if Filipinos vote against federalism

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said that passing a version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law remains an option if Filipino voters thumb down his proposal to institute federalism in a plebiscite.

Speaking to Muslim Filipinos on Friday at the Mindanao Hariraya Eid'l Fit'r 2016 in Davao City, Duterte said he is already in consultation with Muslim leaders in crafting a framework that would bring peace to the island.

"I foresee that towards the end of the year, we’d be able to come up with the framework, kung paano gawin ang federalism. But, if the Filipino nation and a plebiscite would not want it, then I am ready to concede whatever is there in the BBL Law," said Duterte.

Measures to amend the Charter to shift to a federal form of government have already been filed in Congress. But any change in the Constitution would need to be ratified in a national plebiscite, where people would have a chance to either approve or disapprove the shift.

In any case, Duterte assured that he will make good on his promise to bring peace to Mindanao within his term, but appealed to Muslim Filipinos to give him time 'to perfect an agreement.'

"It will not come overnight. Certainly, it will not come next year. Probably, it will be something about two to three years from now. But I assure you that something will change before I end my term,"  Duterte said.

"Give me a chance to perfect an agreement," he added.

Duterte said he sees his term as the best chance to achieve peace in Mindanao.

"I do not think that there will be another chance for the Mindanaoans to expect change kung… 'pag nawala ako," he said.

Duterte said he is ready to talk with both the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"Ready na kami sa aming group sa gobyerno to talk to the MILF," Duterte said.

He added that he is willing to travel to Jolo to meet with MNLF founder Nur Misuari, who had supported his presidential bid.

Duterte said that any version of the BBL must apply not just to the MILF, but also to the MNLF.

"But I said, I assure that if there is no federalism, kung ayaw talaga ng the rest of the country, well then I said what you give to the MI, must be given to MN kasi pareho lang e. I hope that we can have peace in the land," he said.

The two organizations had earlier agreed to assist in drafting a proposed law that will hopefully bring peace to the region.

He added that if the MILF and MNLF both agree, Duterte said he will institute a reconfiguration of territories and boundaries.

"But, that should not keep us apart from being Mindanaoans. For you know, you must realize that most of the Christians here in Mindanao, your brother Christians, are supporting the federalism and the BBL," he said. —Jessica Bartolome/JST, GMA News