LEADERS of the MBC with Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III, second from right | Photo from Makati Business Club website
BUSINESS leaders urged Congress to resume discussions on the Bangsamoro Basic Law as soon as possible as the nation marks the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
The Makati Business Club also renewed its call for the government to put the peace process back on track as it reaffirmed its “continuing and unwavering support” for peace efforts that would put a stop to the conflict in the Philippine South.
Below is the full text of the MBC statement.
As the nation commemorates the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the Makati Business Club reaffirms its continuing and unwavering support for the Mindanao peace process, and we renew our call to the government to put the peace process back on track at the soonest possible opportunity.
To enhance the prospects for peace in Mindanao, we urge Congress to resume discussions on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) at the earliest time. Consistent with the position released by 14 esteemed framers of the Constitution last 9 January 2015, MBC shares the belief that the Constitutional principles of genuine human development, social justice, and lasting peace underlie the CAB and, ultimately, the proposed BBL. In this context, we respectfully urge Congress to not allow revisions that would contravene these values nor run against the aspirations of the Filipino people to attain a just, harmonious, and progressive Philippines.
It has been more than two months since the Mamasapano incident. While the search for truth continues, we reiterate our stand that as the nation steadily moves forward from this tragedy, we must not allow political manipulation to take advantage of the legitimate grief and emotion that continues to pervade the public’s consciousness. Rather, sobriety, unity, and reason must be cemented as the guides that will steer efforts of government and the private sector towards genuine peace and in preserving the noteworthy gains that we have achieved in the last four-and-a-half years.
At this crucial juncture in the peace process, let us move forward with sobriety and courage as one united Filipino nation in search of Justice and Peace.