Marawi

Sen. Bam: Unite, work together for Marawi rehab

Now that Marawi City has been liberated from the grasp of the Maute Group, Sen. Bam Aquino urged all stakeholders to work together to heal, rebuild and create prosperity in the city.

“Now, we must illuminate the hopeful Filipino spirit. It’s time to work together to heal, rebuild and create prosperity in Marawi City,” said Sen. Bam, a member of the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation.

Sen. Bam’s pronouncement came after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana declared an end to the five-month fighting in Marawi City.

 Earlier, President Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi City from the terrorist group following the death of terrorists Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, who were behind the siege that devastated the city.

 “This marks the end of a dark period in Philippine history, when terrorists sowed fear, violence and devastation in the City of Marawi. Our Armed Forces deserve our utmost praise and gratitude for this victory and for sacrificing their lives to bring peace to our country,” said Sen. Bam.

At the same time, Sen. Bam commended members of other local government units, government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector who took in evacuees and provided support to families who lost their homes and livelihood.

With the liberation of Marawi City, Sen. Bam said it’s high-time to focus on rebuilding and developing Marawi City.

 “We fully support efforts to rehabilitate Marawi City and to bring normalcy and prosperity into the lives of Maranao families,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam Aquino on Marawi City and the Death of Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute

Binabati natin ang matatapang na miyembro ng Armed Forces sa kanilang pagtuldok sa paghahasik ng lagim at terorismo nina Isnilon Hapilon at Omar Maute.

The country is now a safer place for all Filipinos.

With this victory, we hope that the firefighting will soon end so the government can immediately lift Martial Law and finally focus on rebuilding and developing Marawi City.

As member of the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation, we fully support efforts to rehabilitate Marawi City and to bring normalcy and prosperity into the lives of Maranao families.

Sen. Bam: Support for Marawi City homeowners still lacking

Sen. Bam Aquino urged the government to assist owners of private properties destroyed during the Marawi conflict as part of its efforts to rehabilitate the war-torn city.

The senator issued the call during the initial hearing of the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation, of which he is a member for the minority.

 “Napansin ko sa mga footage na karamihan sa mga nawasak sa labanan ay mga pribadong ari-arian. Dapat nating siguraduhin na may mekanismo ang pamahalaan para magbigay ng suporta sa mga may-ari ng pribadong ari-arian na nasira sa labanan,” said Sen. Bam, who is looking into possible legislation to address the issue.

“Wala kaming mahanap na probisyon that allows for government support for damaged private property para sa ating kababayang nawalan ng tirahan dahil sa combat operations,” he added.

 The Department of National Defense (DND) said its legal support group is looking into the legality of extending assistance to owners of private properties.

“For government offices and public schools, I am confident we can find funding and rebuild quickly. Ngunit kailangan rin nating tulungan ang mga kababayan nating nasiraan ng bahay at kabuhayan,” Sen. Bam insisted.

During the hearing, Sen. Bam underscored the minority’s full support for the government’s efforts to rehabilitate Marawi City as soon as the conflict is over.

“This is one of those efforts where we need to work together to ensure that the benefit of our countrymen can be felt,” said Sen. Bam.

 The senator also wants to invite officials from the local government unit (LGU) of Marawi and members of a non-government organization in the area to serve as voice and check and balance in the planning and implementation stages.

 Sen. Bam also emphasized that the committee might visit Marawi City when the fighting stops in the area for a closer look at the extent of the damage in the area and to determine the pressing needs that needs to be addressed first.

There are currently 359,680 internally displaced persons (IDPs) or 78,466 displaced families due to the conflict in Marawi.

Sen. Bam: Let’s not put BBL in the backburner

While it was not included in the priority reforms during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) should still be pursued as it can help bring peace in Marawi and the whole of Mindanao, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
“Wala man ang BBL sa mga inilatag na prayoridad na panukala, huwag natin ito isantabi. Magsisilbi itong daan upang maabot ang matagal nang inaasam na kapayapaan sa Mindanao,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam is a member of the Senate Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation, which will conduct its initial hearing Tuesday.
 
Recently, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) submitted to President Duterte a draft of the revised BBL However, the President did not raise the BBL during the last LEDAC.
 
“I hope we can still push for this reform for our countrymen in the Bangsamoro region,” stressed Sen. Bam, “Let’s pass the best possible version of the BBL and establish peace and prosperity in the region.”
 
The senator also underscored his belief that the BBL can help fight terrorism, rebellion and crime through peace and development and education and jobs.
 
“Sa tulong ng BBL masusugpo natin ang matagal nang problema sa Mindanao, lalo na ang terorismo at rebelyon sa pamamagitan ng kaunlaran, trabaho at edukasyon,” said Sen. Bam.
 
In his first four years as senator, Sen. Bam has pursued jobs, education and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos through the Go Negosyo Act, Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act and Youth Entrepreneurship Act.
 
“Naniniwala tayo na kapag nabigyan ng pagkakataon upang makapag-aral, makapagtrabaho at magnegosyo ang ating mga kababayan, madali tayong makakaahon sa kahirapan at magkakaroon ng magandang kinabukasan,” said Sen. Bam.

Bam on voting NO to 150-day ML extension

Humindi po ako sa extension na 150 days dahil sa tingin ko po, ang nararapat na extension ay 60 days lamang.

Tatlong tanong po ang naging paggabay sa akin upang makaabot sa desisyong ito. Unang una, makakaantala ba ang paglimita sa 60 days sa operations ng AFP at sa ating mga sundalo. Clearly Mr. President, hindi naman ito makakaantala sa kanila at buo naman ang suporta natin sa AFP from the beginning.

 Hindi lang po sa moral, hindi lang po sa budget kundi pati sa mga batas na kailangang amyendahan para matulungan po sila.

 Pangalawang tanong, ano ang nais ng 500,000 internally displaced Filipinos na nasa ibang siyudad at sa mga evacuation centers. Sa aking pagkaalam, gusto na nilang bumalik sa kanilang bahay.

 Ang tingin ko po, ang rehabilitation ay mas mainam na gawin sa ilalim ng civilian authority at hindi po sa ilalim ng Martial Law.

 Pangatlo, at siguro po pinakamahalaga sa ating desisyon ngayong hapong ito. Ang 60-day limitation ba ay makatutulong sa pagtaguyod ng demokrasya sa ating bansa? Ang sagot ko po diyan oo.

Unang-una, itinataguyod ang nararapat na check and balance ng co-equal branches of government na executive and legislative branch. Pangalawa, Congress will be able to fulfil its mandate and responsibility given to it in the Constitution in shorter intervals.

Mr. President, the presence of Martial Law in our country today puts our democracy in an unusual and unstable situation. Ngayon po na mayroon tayong Martial Law, hindi po ganoon katibay ang kinatatayuan ng ating demokrasya. Kaya po, ang pagpapasyang kailangang gawin natin, tayo ba ay magpapalakas sa ating demokrasya o tayo po ba ay gagawa ng mga desisyon na posibleng makapaghina dito. Siyempre po boboto tayo sa pagpapalakas at pagpapatibay ng ating demokrasya dahil mahirap na pong masanay.

Bam: Limit ML extension

Congress must perform its duty of limiting the duration of Martial Law to ensure that checks and balances in government remain.

This was stressed by Sen. Bam Aquino during his brief manifestation during the special session to discuss the Martial Law extension being requested by President Duterte.

“I would definitely try to move for a shorter period of time,” Sen. Bam told Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

 “Nakasaad sa Konstitusyon na kapangyarihan at tungkulin ng lehislatura ang magdesisyon ukol sa pag-extend ng Martial Law. Kaya’t ang mas maikling panahon na 60 days ay hindi deadline, bagkus isang pamamaraan na kung saan nagagawa ng lehislatura ang aming tungkulin,” the senator said.

“At hindi ba nararapat lang na humingi ng pagsang-ayon ang militar sa mga sibilyan na awtoridad?” he added.

The senator reiterated the Congress’ support for the military, saying lawmakers are ready to provide soldiers the necessary equipment and legislative reforms they need to quell the terrorism in Marawi once and for all.

  “Iyong Modernization Act kailangang ipagpatuloy, baka kailangang i-amend ang Procurement Act at iba pang mga batas upang magawa niyo ang trabaho nang maayos,” said Sen. Bam, to which Sec. Lorenzana agreed to.

However, Sen. Bam stressed the need to be prudent about the Martial Law extension to completely quell terrorism in Mindanao.

 “Let us not forget that it is robust development – education, jobs, business and livelihood – that will ultimately beat terrorism,” said Sen. Bam.

The senator added that Martial Law will not help achieve economic development and rehabilitation of the affected areas.

Sen. Bam to PNP: Stop sending delinquent cops to Mindanao

A senator seconded the Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s appeal, urging the Philippine National Police (PNP) to rethink its policy of deploying erring policemen to Mindanao, saying the move will reduce public trust in the police further.

“Filipinos deserve an upstanding police force. Delinquent cops should be fired, not just reassigned and sent to Mindanao,” said Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Napakahalaga na may tiwala ang tao sa pulis, lalong lalo na sa Mindanao kung saan may Martial Law at banta ng terorismo. We should send our best and brightest, not those who abuse their power,” added Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam made the statement after the PNP shipped to Marawi two Mandaluyong policemen who were caught in video hitting using a “yantok” nightstick the two men they arrested for drinking on the sidewalk.

“Ang mga pulis na nang-aagrabyado ng taumbayan at gumagawa ng katiwalian ay dapat managot at matanggal sa puwesto. Marami sa mga pulis na nagtatrabaho nang maayos ang nadadamay sa kanilang ginagawang kapalpakan,” stressed Sen. Bam.

 In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed a bill that aims to strengthen the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the PNP to instill better discipline and performance among policemen.

 “The PNP must clamp down on crime and corruption while fully abiding by the law and respecting basic human rights,” Sen. Bam said in Senate Bill No. 1285 or the PNP Internal Affairs Service Modernization Act.

The bill was endorsed by the IAS and was subsequently filed by Sen. Aquino to help the PNP’s efforts to get rid of bad eggs in the organization.

 The measure seeks to strengthen the IAS with provisions for autonomy and independence in its administration and operations and empowering it to instill discipline and enhance the performance of personnel and units of the PNP at all levels of its command.

 “The bill expands the motu-propio investigation powers of the IAS to cover all acts and omissions by PNP officers which might discredit them or hinder them from rendering their services effectively,” said Sen. Bam.

 In addition, the measure mandates the prioritization of IAS functions, which promote character building, and carry out inspections, audits, intelligence operations and rehabilitation among officers.

 By increasing the authority and mandate of the IAS within every branch of the PNP, Sen. Bam hopes the police will better protect the public and honor their duties.

Sen. Bam on Supreme Court decision on Martial Law

We respect the decision of the Supreme Court and continue to support our Armed Forces at the front lines of this battle.

 Still, we must remain vigilant and safeguard the rights of our countrymen until the firefight ends and Martial Law is lifted.

Let’s focus on giving displaced Filipino families the support they need and be ready to pour all efforts to rebuilding Marawi, reestablishing our schools, and creating jobs and livelihood for the community.

Sen. Bam to Aguirre: Apologize, take responsibility for reckless accusations

“The Justice Secretary should simply apologize and take responsibility for his reckless accusations.”

Sen. Bam Aquino is baffled by the delay in the issuance of Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre’s public apology, saying there’s no reason to wait until Monday to correct his mistakes.

“The clarification that his office issued is merely stating the obvious,” the senator said, referring to the statement released by Aguirre’s office early Friday.

Earlier, Sec. Aguirre alleged that Sen. Bam met with several fellow lawmakers and prominent families in Marawi City on May 2, three weeks before the firefight in the city erupted.

On that date, Sen. Bam was the commencement speaker of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) at the PICC in Pasay City. In the afternoon, he attended the Senate session.

Sen. Bam said Aguirre should own up to his mistakes and publicly apologize for his irresponsibility, as what he committed during an earlier conversation with the senator.

“The least he can do is make a public apology at hinahanap natin ang pangako na mas magiging maingat na siya sa kanyang mga binibitawang salita,” the senator stressed.

Sen. Bam said two of Aguirre’s fellow Cabinet members reached out to the Justice Secretary to “clarify my Marawi trip as early as Wednesday.”

According to the senator, Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana reached out to Aguirre, informing the Justice Secretary that Sen. Bam was with officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during his visit to Marawi City last May 19 to attend the inauguration of a Negosyo Center.

Among those who joined Sen. Bam in the inauguration were B/Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, Gen. Nixon Fortes and Vice Gov. Bombit Adiong.

Lorenzana also debunked rumors linking Sen. Bam to the Marawi incident as “too absurd to be believed”.

“Trade Sec. Mon Lopez has already publicly clarified and confirmed that I was in Marawi City for the Negosyo Center launch. These are easily verifiable for anyone who cares to find the truth,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam on Sec. Aguirre’s allegations on Marawi meeting

Is fake news enough for the head of our country’s Department of Justice to make these outrageous allegations?

To be clear, there was never any meeting among the individuals mentioned by Sec. Aguirre.

 On May 2, 2017, I was the PUP commencement speaker at the PICC and attended the session at the Philippine Senate.

My trip to Marawi was on May 19, 2017 to launch the first Negosyo Center in the ARMM and I had with me an AFP escort throughout my trip, which can easily be verified through the AFP.

Vice Gov. Bombit Adiong, B/Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista and Gen. Nixon Fortes were also with me during the event.

 DTI Sec. Mon Lopez has already publicly clarified and confirmed that I was in Marawi City for the NegosyoCenter launch.

These are easily verifiable for anyone who cares to find the truth.

 It would be prudent for Sec. Aguirre to clarify dates, seek evidence and request for official statements from legitimate government agencies before he makes yet another false accusation.

 This tragedy could have been an opportunity to unite the Philippines against a common enemy.

 Instead, it’s being used to further political interests and further divide our country.

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