Robin Padilla lobbies House, Senate for Bangsamoro bill

MANILA, Philippines – Wearing a shirt with quotes from Pope Francis in front and Senator Alan Cayetano on the back, actor Robin Padilla witnessed the sponsorship of the proposed Bangsamoro basic law (BBL) at the House of Representatives on Monday, June 1. 

In an interview with reporters, Padilla thanked lawmakers who voted yes to the bill. 

Padilla, a Muslim convert, asked lawmakers to take the example of Pope Francis, who endorsed the peace process in Muslim-majority areas in Mindanao during his trip to the Philippines in January 2015.  

“Ipinagyayabang at ipinagmamalaki ng ating bansa na tayo ay Catholic country. Inendorso na po ito ng Holy Pope. Inendorso na po ito ni Cardinal Tagle na nagre-represent ng Vatican sa atin. Wala na po tayong mahihiling pa dahil Simbahang Katolika na po ang sumusuporta dito sa BBL,” Padilla said. 

(We are proud of the fact that we are a Catholic country. The Holy Pope already endorsed this. Cardinal Tagle, who represents the Vatican here, already endorsed this. We have nothing more to ask because the Catholic Church itself supports the BBL.)

Manila Archbishop Cardinal Antonio Tagle was one of the convenors invited by Malacañang to form the Peace Council that reviewed the bill, since renamed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in the House version.  

More than 80% of Filipinos are Catholics. The BBL, meanwhile, seeks to establish a new autonomous region in Muslim-majority areas in Mindanao in attempt to end 4 decades of armed conflict.

The print on Padilla’s shirt bore the exact quote from Pope Francis on the peace process: “I note with pleasure that last March an agreement was signed to end long years of tension in the Philippines.”

At the back of his shirt was the photo of Senator Alan Cayetano with the quote, “Mas maraming teroristang Kristiyano.” Above the photo were these words: “Are you taking the side of the Pope or the side of the politician?

Earlier in the day, Padilla visited the Senate to ask Senate President Franklin Drilon about updates on the bill. Drilon was, however, in Tarlac.  

Drilon’s chief of staff, lawyer Rey Bantug, told Rappler that Padilla was seeking Drilon’s support and asked whether the Senate can still meet the June deadline imposed by Malacañang for the passage of the bill.

Drilon earlier admitted the Senate was not likely to beat the deadline after Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr decided to hold more hearings. At least 12 senators have signed the committee report concluding that the BBL is unconstitutional. 

The proposed law implements the peace deal between the government and rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front. In exchange for the creation of a parliamentary form of autonomous region with greater powers and resources, the MILF agreed to decommission its firearms. – Angela Casauay/Rappler.com