By PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA — Senate President Franklin Drilon urged President Benigno Aquino III to transmit to Congress the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law as soon as possible.
Lawmakers will make the proposed law its “highest priority,” Drilon said in his speech during the opening of Congress’ second regular session yesterday.
The law, which will be based on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro by the Transition Commission, will “put an end to the decades-old conflict in Mindanao,” the Ilonggo lawmaker said.
“It is our hope that Malacañang can transmit to us the proposed basic law as soon as possible,” said Drilon.
In a separate interview, Drilon said they will work double-time to ratify the measure “by second half of the next year.”
‘DECONSTRUCT SYSTEM’
Meanwhile, the Senate president said the recent controversies that hounded some senators “present us an opportunity to deconstruct our system.”Among these issues were the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam and the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program.
These issues also helped the institution “identify the flaws in our approach and remedy them with new practices that will inculcate a culture of public accountability,” he said.
Drilon encouraged his colleagues to “set aside 2016 and work hand in hand for the rebirth of the Senate.”
With the opening of the second regular session, Drilon said he hopes the Senate can regain the trust of the public.
“Though not within easy reach, I believe that with hard work and perseverance, we would in time walk past the difficult path ahead,” he said./PN
