Local gov’ts, IP rights protected under Senate version of BBL, Bongbong claims

Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Wednesday the power of the local government units within the Bangsamoro region will not be diminished and the rights of the indigenous people will be protected under his version of the proposed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

“None of the power given to local government units will be diminished. We will not allow any violation of the Local Government Code in terms of giving power to Bangsamoro autonomous government,” Marcos said upon the questioning of Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile.

BLBAR is Marcos’ version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law proposed by the Palace.

“None of their autonomy will be affected by the passage of the Basic Law, it is our guiding principle that we remain true to the Local Government Code. It would seem to guarantee failure if it was felt by the local government officials that the law proposal is to their disadvantage,” Marcos added.

He added that amendments he made to the Malacanang-proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law ensured the power of local government units.

“I think that we have succeeded in removing any of the contrary and conflicting provision that originally existed in the draft BBL. That is why some of he language in the BLBAR could be said to be repetitive or redundant. The Local Government Code will not be diminished in anyway whatsoever that would cost any kind of confusion,” he said.

Enrile also asked Marcos what will happen to the indigenous people who have been in Mindanao even before Islam arrived there.

“What will be the status of the indigenous people within the scope of the region as far as the relation to the people who profess the faith of Islam?” he asked.

Marcos said their rights are protected in the BLBAR, the reason the term “non-Islamic indigenous people” is put in the proposed bill.

“If we are talking specifically of the Lumad, we included guarantees that none of the rights of the Lumads as granted in the IP law are violated,” he said.

Enrile will resume his interpellation on Monday. -NB, GMA News