The people will judge

Celebrations were in order after Malacañang announced that the final annex of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro had been signed. This may initially be a sign that peace will finally fall upon the lives of our compatriots in Mindanao. However, the more important Bangsamoro Basic Law is yet to be crafted by Congress.

That part of this historic road to peace would mean more funds to be spent by the present administration to ensure that the legislators pass the proposed law as soon as possible. The proposed law may even be certified as urgent by President Aquino, especially because he wants to make it is his legacy. The President and his allies in Congress may set aside other bills deemed urgent by other legislators, and focus their time and effort on the early passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

While all these efforts to restore peace in Mindanao may look good from the international perspective, it is still the people of Mindanao who can properly judge whether indeed peace has been achieved.

—PAOLO ESGUERRA, Sta. Mesa, Manila