PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has vowed to personally intervene and mount his own “talk and text brigade” to get lawmakers to attend sessions and pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law in the next three weeks, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said Sunday.
In an interview over radio dzBB, Gonzales said the President promised to appeal to lawmakers to attend the remaining nine session days left before Congress adjourns on Feb. 5 to ensure a quorum, but was non-committal about certifying the bill as urgent.
“The President volunteered his help to appeal to members that he can call to attend so they will be present to vote,” Gonzales told dzBB.
Gonzales admitted that House leaders did not have the sufficient number of lawmakers to push for the approval of BBL.
“The truth is, we really do not have the numbers. Although we know there is wide support, that support has to be shown by their being present,” Gonzales said. “Many will say we are in favor of the bill but if we don’t see them in session, that means nothing.”
“Their political statement must be converted into actual attendance so that we can pass the bill. We can work from morning to night—that’s not a problem,” he added in Filipino.
If the House can finish the period of amendments, Gonzales said President Aquino should certify the BBL bill as urgent so it can be passed on second and third reading on the same session day.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, sponsor of the BBL on the floor, told the President the plenary may likely delete the most contentious opt-in provision.
“We also presented to the President the problem on the lack of quorum. We told him it was difficult to sustain a quorum,” Gonzales said.
In a media forum, former undersecretary of Trade and Industry Ernesto Ordoñez said the BBL would address security concerns in Mindanao and stabilize the economy there.
“Investors are looking for stability in the area. The promises [from the business sector] have been coming in since the start of the BBL discussion. If we have these companies, there will be jobs,” Ordoñez said.
“The Bangsamoro people need jobs but there are no new jobs because of the armed conflict… which is a concern of the business community,” said Ordoñez.
Ordoñez added that the delay in the passage into law of the BBL has stalled progress in the roadmap to peace established by the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front through the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro they signed in March 27, 2014.
The former DTI undersecretary reminded lawmakers of their important role in ending the armed conflict in Mindanao through their legislative power which is a responsibility they should uphold.
“We are calling on our congressmen and senators to pass a BBL that is consistent with 1987 Constitution and continues to protect the rights of the indigenous peoples in the Bangsamoro,” he said.
“We are talking of inclusive growth that will benefit the Moro people. It will be a shame to waste all efforts as we have come so far,” he also said.
“Short-sighted politics should not derail this legislation,” he added. With Sandy Araneta