Duterte Meets with Pimentel, Alvarez on BBL Wednesday

President Duterte hugs MNLF chairman Nur Misuari during their meeting at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City – Malacañang photo.

Davao City, Philippines, MINA — President Duterte is meeting with Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez at Malacañang Wednesday to t ackle the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) now pending in Congress.

“The President has called us both to discuss the BBL. Let us see,” Alvarez said Tuesday.

The President earlier said he is racing to meet the deadline for passage of the BBL, which he promised the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to happen before the year ends.

“The MILF is in a hurry. I am working hard to meet the deadline for lasting peace. The burden of the deadline has been placed on us. It has to be this year,” the President said during the distribution of certificates of land ownership to farmer beneficiaries in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat the other day.

The President said he would convince both Pimentel and Alvarez to honor government’s commitment to the MILF.

“I will tell Koko (Pimentel) and Bebot (Alvarez) that it is a commitment to the MILF. We have to honor such commitment,” the President said.

He added that he would also talk to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari about the matter.

“Mag-usap tayo, huwag tayo mag-away-away (Let us talk, let’s not fight),” the President said. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)