Congress finishes BBL proposal deliberation

A Muslim woman wipes her tears after the conclusion of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Philippine government and the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front on March 27, 2014 in Manila. ZIMBIO.COM

MANILA – The congressional Bicameral Conference Committee has finished its deliberation on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) proposal.

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas told the media that the members of House and the Senate have finished deliberating and are now finalizong the report.

“The Bicam Conference Committee authorized Sen. [Juan Miguel] Zubiri and [I] to finalize our report and we will meet on Tuesday, July 17, for its approval and forthwith, forward it to the President for his consideration,” said Fariñas.

Among the provisions adapted under the BBL proposal are the creation of a Shari’ah High Court and the joint powers of the Bangsamoro government and national government over the exploration, development and use of fossil fuels and uranium in the new region.

The bicameral committee also approved the 75-25 Bangsamoro and central government wealth sharing, but deleted the proposed anti-political dynasty provision.

“If he (President Rodrigo Duterte) finds it to his approval, we will have it ratified in plenary by the House of Representatives and Senate when we convene our third regular session on Monday, July 23, 10 a.m., for it to be signed into law by the President on or before the SONA (State of the Nation Address) at 4 p.m.,” said Fariñas.

The 29-member bicameral committee met for four days starting July 9 to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of the bill which is expected to bring peace and development in the southern Philippines.

Once it becomes a law, the BBL would serve as the enabling law of the 2014 peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front – the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which aims to grant greater autonomy to the Bangsamoro region.

The proposed BBL will establish a new autonomous political entity known as the Autonomous Region of the Bangsamoro and will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Duterte certified the BBL as urgent on May 29 and the following day, both House of Representatives and the Senate approved the proposed bill seeking to end decades-old conflict in Mindanao./PN

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