Cebu Archdiocese Sets BBL Forum on June 16

The Archdiocese of Cebu will organize a forum on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on June 16.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the forum will allow the clergy and other sectors to know the pros and cons of the proposed measure, giving them an intelligent stand on the issue.

“I gave my go signal to initiate the forum because it is good to listen to the many sides to a rather complex law,” Palma said.

Former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr. and former Cebu governor and congressman Pablo Garcia, will attend the forum, which will be held at the Archbishop’s residence on D. Jakosalem St. in Cebu City.

Last month, the main proponents behind BBL urged Cebuanos to give the law a chance as it could help spur economic development in Mindanao.

But Palma said more consultations are needed before the law can be approved.

“I am in the conviction that there is no need to rush in the signing of the bill. For a complex proposal, we need to know as many as possible the various sides and, of course, the implications as well,” he said.

Palma also urged lawmakers to make an informed choice rather than hastily decide on it due to politics.

The BBL was derailed following the bloody encounter in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao last January that resulted in the deaths of 44 members of the PNP’s Special Action Force. (PNA) CTB/EB/EDS