MANILA – An urgent certification may not be needed for the approval of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, Malacañang said Tuesday.
But President Rodrigo Duterte himself said he would, and the measure is expected to be signed into law in time for the State of the Nation Address in July, according to a presidential adviser and a lawmaker.
Congress has only until Wednesday to approve the BBL measure before it adjourns sine die starting June 2.
“Mayroon pong mga gusot na pinaplantsa pero ang pangako naman po nila (lawmakers) na gagawin ang lahat para maisabatas ang BBL,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.
According to Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte had “conciliation-mediation” meetings on Monday.
“Una niyang pinulong ang Bangsamoro Transition Council, pagkatapos po ang mga miyembro ng Kamara, pagkatapos po ang mga miyembro ng Senado,” the spokesman said. “Tapos pinagsama po niya ang mga senador at mga congressmen.”
Both Houses of Congress agreed to reconcile contentious provisions, said Roque.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said the proposed BBL could be signed by Duterte into law “in time for its announcement during the State of the Nation Address in July.”
Monday’s meeting with the President “adjourned with a general consensus that the two chambers conclude their work at the earliest possible time and, if there are varying versions, that the mandated bicameral committees of both chambers meet to come up with a joint reconciled and accepted version,” Dureza said.
According to the peace adviser, Duterte said he would certify the bill as urgent.
Meanwhile House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said Congress discussed with Duterte on Monday evening the contentious issues of the measure.
“The President granted our request to certify the BBL bill as urgent in order for the House of Representatives and the Senate to pass their respective BBL bills on second and third readings before we adjourn on Wednesday,” Fariñas said.
After both Houses pass their respective versions, the Bicameral Conference Committee will meet during break to resolve conflicting provisions with the help of the executive branch and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.
“The Bicameral Conference Committee report shall be submitted for ratification by the House of Representatives and the Senate in their plenary sessions in the morning of Monday, July 23 with the President signing it into law in time for his SONA at 4 p.m. that same day,” said Fariñas.
Duterte had said the BBL – a measure that would implement the peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 2014 – must be passed.
Three committees in the House of Representatives – Local Government; Muslim Affairs; and Peace, Reconciliation and Unity – approved on Tuesday House Bill 6475, their version of the BBL.
The bill seeks to provide a basic law for a Bangsamoro region and the abolition of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The measure failed to get passed under the Benigno Aquino III administration over questions on its constitutionality. (With Adrian Stewart Co/PN)
