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MANILA - A Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader believes the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) might have prospered had President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s administration only shown strong political will.

"Kulang ang political will ng administrasyong ito, sinabi mismo sa akin na isa sa nakita nilang weakness, kung matatawag na weakness or pagkukulang, sa leadership ng OPAPP [Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process] e nag-presume ang OPAPP na susunod sa kanila ang Congress of the Philippines, ang presumption ng OPAPP, ayon dun sa sources ko, hindi sila nag exert ng effort para makipagsundo sa lawmakers,” MILF First Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar said.

Jaafar admitted, though, they did not really expect too much from the government despite the signing of the Framework Agreement and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

Although there are still a few days until the Congress adjourns on February 5, there is only a very slim chance it will pass the BBL.

Despite this, Jaafar said there is no reason for the MILF and the Bangsamoro to mourn.

"Bagama't nasasayangan ngunit hindi kami nalulungkot. Kumbaga hindi kami nagluluksa sapagkat hindi naipasa ng Congress of the Philippines ang panukalang batas para sa Bangsamoro government, ang BBL. Hindi kami umiyak ngayon at ang dahilan ay sapagkat intact ang leadership ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front at ang MILF ay patuloy na lumalakas," Jaafar said.

When asked if the MILF will instead resort to armed struggle, Jaafar said the MILF will continue fighting peacefully.

"At this point of our struggle ang pangunahin sa amin ay ma-maintain and ma-preserve ang gains ng negotiations," he said.

The MILF leader has appealed to the Moro leaders and the Bangsamoro people to remain united as the peace process does not end here.