The Philippine Congress both from the Senate and the House of Representatives aim to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) before Congress adjuourns in June 2015. According top House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., revealed that both chambers of Congress will have to work hard to pass all priority measures becuase of the little time left.
Both the House of Representatives and the Philippine Senate will adjourn on June 11, which is about six weeks to go. The Congress noted that they have a limited time ahead, therefore they have to maximize the time left.
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. was quoted as saying “We have a limited time ahead, and therefore we have to maximize the time. And of course, it’s the first time that Malacañang appropriated funds in the budget for the BBL,” Belmonte told reporters after meeting with Senate President Franklin Drilon and other congressional leaders at the Marco Polo Hotel in Pasig City.
Aside from the plans of the Philippine Congress, the National Peace Council also submitted to President Aquino yesterday their report on the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Last week, the peace council submited a report to Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the chairman of the House ad hoc panel deliberating on the BBL.
Congressman Rufus Rodriguez earlier said that President Aquino is ready to certify the BBL as urgent once the committee approves the measure. Senate Pres. Franklin Drilon also said that the BBL is also on top of the Senate’s priority.
The Bangsamoro Basic Law is the product of peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It is the legal iteration of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which the government and MILF peace panels signed in March 2014.
If enacted into law, the BBL will be the legal basis for the creation of an autonomous Bangsamoro entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
