Sen. Leila M. De Lima's Manifestation on the Ratification of the Bicameral Committee Report on the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(Entered into the Senate Record on 24 July 2018)

"Mr. President, my esteemed colleagues:

"My current situation prevented me from participating in yesterday's historic occasion as the Senate of the Seventeenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). For decades, peace has eluded the Land of Promise and the Food Basket of the Philippines. Years of violence have led to tens of thousands of families internally displaced, hundreds of thousands of our countrymen killed, and billions of pesos in lost economic activity. But alas, our legislative contribution to the peace process has finally crossed the Rubicon.

"This Organic Law proves that federalism is not the solution to our country's woes. The present form of government under the 1987 Constitution already enshrines decentralization and grants local governments autonomy over their jurisdiction. Charter change is not needed to foster national unity, to address insurgency and terrorism, to uplift the economic condition of the vulnerable sectors of society, and to ensure the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"It is my fervent hope that this landmark legislation will be the catalyst in achieving lasting peace in Mindanao and for our impoverished countrymen in the BARMM to finally enjoy the blessings of prosperity and democracy under a united Philippines. Assalamualaikum!"