(Note from MindaNews: This is the official transcript of President Rodrigo Duterte’s speech, released by the Presidential News Desk of the Presidential Communications Office)
Presidential Communications Office
Presidential News Desk
SPEECH OF
PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
DURING TURNOVER OF THE PROPOSED BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW BY THE BANGSAMORO TRANSITION COMMISSION
[Delivered at Rizal Ceremonial Hall, Malacañan Palace | 17 July 2017]
Kindly sit down. Salamat po.
Today marks a new milestone in our history that will stand as proof of our resolve to set aside our differences and stand united to achieve our common goal of peace.
This moment is a significant step forward in our quest to end centuries of hatred, mistrust and injustice that cost and affected the lives of millions of Filipinos.
The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law embodies our shared aspirations of a peaceful, orderly and harmonious nation. After decades of armed struggle and violence, we will soon come up with a constitutionally consistent legal instrument that will lay the foundation for establishing real and lasting peace in Mindanao.
The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law puts into life and spirit the constitutional mandate provided in the 1987 Constitution for the establishment of a truly autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao.
This paves the way for meeting the just aspiration of the Bangsamoro people for self-determination. And that is consistent and reflective of the distinct historical [and] cultural heritage, and economic and social structures common to the people residing in the Bangsamoro.
This will be realized while preserving and strengthening the territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines.
The draft bill, jointly written by our Muslim, Christian, and Lumad brothers and sisters, shall give rise to a genuine autonomous region as well as bring forth healing and reconciliation to the historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro people.
Indeed, the entire country will benefit from it along with the region for the Bangsamoro people. May this new entity be marked by good governance, equitable sharing of wealth and generation of revenue, and normalized, stable environment.
Insha’Allah! We will achieve sustainable and inclusive peace and development in the Bangsamoro, Mindanao [and] the entire country.
This is not included in the speech, but may I say to you, my brother Moros, that I commit to support – in front of everybody – my covenant with you that I will support and husband this instrument as it goes in the legislator for its consideration. [applause]
And there will be no objections of the provisions of all that is consistent with the Constitution and the aspiration of the Moro people.
I am for this — within the context of the Republic of the Philippines, there shall be a Bangsamoro country.
Maraming salamat po. [applause]
—END—
