In english, the word simply means caution.
The word however is coined from Bangsamoro Basic Law (BABALA), which to some quarters, is nothing but the hot potato in the widely rejected Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domains (MOA-AD).
For want of exhaustive information, we could hardly tell which is which but with our politicians track record of laziness, we could assume it as a pasted copy of the former.
Like the MOA AD now, the government negotiators, again handpicked by the Administration just assumed Bangsamoro is just Moro Islamic Liberation Front, who speaks for the whole tribes of Mindanao.
In last week’s Senate hearing, we learned that key groups in the proposed Bangsamoro region were never consulted about the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or BBL that was drafted to implement it.
President Aquino’s handpicked peace negotiators assumed too much. For the pay they get, they thought MILF speaks for the entire region. Without the consent of the sultanates of Mindanao, the local government officials in the affected region and neighboring provinces, the Moro National Liberation Front and the non-Muslim people who live there, including indigenous peoples, the BABALA is a red flag.
Confronted with such a yawning deficiency in its proposed law, the administration has offered no other solution than to plow ahead with what is now clearly an artificial deadline: the SONA.
That is the biggest infirmity and hell, it could kill the BABALA for good. But not, with this President.
Instead, President Aquino reverted to gangster tactics that worked for him in the past: bribing lawmakers with pork like Coronas impeachment, and threatening to prosecute those who cannot be swayed with bribes.
In Bohol, the OPAPP brings its much belated BABALA consultation, after Boholanos have mocked on a sagging presidential popularity. Too late.
After the house committee deliberations, why the consultations now? And it was not even consultation, it was what a mediaman called indoctrination.
OPAPP denies having to do with it, but the reimbursement papers say otherwise.
CODE NGO, a group closely associated with DSWD Dinky Soliman and the HYATT on that day rammed “their version” of the BBL to innocent participants, with much of Boholano innocence and naivety, it could probably pass find.
What did not pass was the readymade manifesto saying Boholanos supporting the BBL. And the pre-printed post cards telling somebody up there that Boholanos support the BBL was documented too. Such treason.
Of the invitees, many were students who could not vote, and were offered money to attend.
Its damning and we hate to believe this.
But of course, with government bankrolling events like this, any signature in the liquidation papers or attendance can be used-traditional politicos style.
That again is another BABALA.