My take on the rage and the fears over this proposed law –

By Raïssa Robles –

It looks like the Philippine government is about to arrive at a momentous peace settlement and agreement with the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Congress is likely to pass the the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which will put in place a new regional autonomous government with expanded revenue-making powers, a bigger purse and more say in running its own affairs.

It’s a major stepping stone on the road to peace in Mindanao, which has been torn by war for decades.

The BBL has met bitter opposition from some quarters. Opinion surveys show that many Filipinos are against the BBL. But what’s interesting is that recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) surveys indicate that the opposition seems to be based on ignorant. Those respondents who knew nothing at all about the BBL are the ones most opposed to it.

In fact, it seems most of the critics of the BBL have not bothered to read the BBL at all.