THE Senate and the House are putting the finishing touches on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, expressing hopes the proposed measure will pass muster tomorrow (July 17, 2018) at the bicameral conference committee level.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said that the BBL draft was already “99-percent” complete and the bicameral meeting is expected to approve the final version on Tuesday.
“Hopefully by Tuesday afternoon we can approve the final version. This is a historic moment and the Mindanaoans are excited for a proposal that would give life to peace,” Zubiri said.
For his part, Fariñas said senators and members of the House of Representatives would meet on July 17 to approve the final version that he and Zubiri have been finalizing for its immediate submission to the President for and immediately submit to the President for approval.
“The bicameral conference committee had authorized Senator [Juan Miguel] Zubiri and I to finalize our report and we will meet on Tuesday for its approval and, forthwith, forward it to the President for his consideration,” he said.
Zubiri said he had expected to finish discussions on the contentious provisions during the three-day bicam since last July 9, but there were many issues on Bangsamoro and emotions involved especially among House members.
“So the disucssions were prolonged,” said Zubiri as as he emphasized that they cannot rush it because this will become our Constitution, it’s like the Organic Act of the Bangsamoro and the amendments process here is very crucial.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon is confident that the bicameral conference committee’s version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law can withstand judicial scrutiny.
However, Drilon doubts whether the draft law that seeks to establish the Bangsamoro region to replace the current ARMM can effectively address poverty and governance issues in Mindanao due to the absence of a provision that would prohibit dynastic practices in the poverty-stricken region.
He expects that petitions questioning the constitutionality of the law or some of its provisions will be brought to the Supreme Court.
approve the final version that he and Zubiri have been finalizing for its immediate submission to the President for and immediately submit to the President for approval.
Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu, deputy speaker, welcomed the approval of the BBL to address the peace and order problem in Mindanao.
“This landmark legislation would surely bring developments in Mindanao as it offers solution to the peace and order concern there,” he said.
On the other hand, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said the 88 percent approval and 87 percent trust ratings of President Duterte in the recent Pulse Asia survey should be the impetus of the bicameral conference committee to finish the BBL.
“Aside from the BBL, the House and the Senate are also faced with the more complicated task of clearing the way for the shift to a federal government that is expected to occupy the legislative agenda for the next Congress,” he said.