FILE PHOTO: President Benigno S. Aquino III. (Malacañang Photo Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III invited his allies even the oppositions in congress for lunch at Malacañan, Tuesday.
According to Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., the president called the house members in connection with the passage of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
The president explained the importance of passing BBL in view of the increased threats posed by global terrorism.
House majority floor leader Neptali Gonzales said, the president asked them to have a quorum for the bill’s passage.
“If we want to give the BBL a chance then we have to have a quorum not only during the initial stage of the day but continuously. If we are going to start 4 PM then the quorum must be there up to the time that we adjourn; and if needed we can have a session up to Friday.”
Magdalo Partylist Representative Gary Alejano, however, disapproves the apparent influence-peddling of Malacañang at the said lunch meeting.
“Ang tagal naming nagkaroon ng line-by-line discussions, provision-by-provision (sa committee) and at the end of the day isang meeting lang sa Malakanyang ang magbabago ng lahat,” said the soldier-turned congressman.
(We have spent a very long time discussing the BBL line-by-line, provision-by-provision in the committee level. And at the end of the day, just this one meeting in Malacañang changes everything.)
Government peace negotiator Miriam Coronel Ferrer said, the primary cause of delays is the wrong information by lawmakers on the proposed law.
As of press time, the proposed BBL is pending before the House of Representatives due to issues regarding the lack of quorum.
The House needs to have more than the half of 289 congressmen to have a quorum.
Both chambers of congress are now in the period of interpolations. After which is the period of amendments.
Among the criticisms on the proposed BBL is the greater power given to the Bangsamoro government.
Also the so-called opt-in provision is facing stiff opposition from some congressmen and senators. Under the opt-in provision, adjacent provinces may join the new autonomous region by plebiscite.
The last session of the Lower House is on December 16 before the congress holiday break. (NEL MARIBOJOC / UNTV News)
The post President Benigno Aquino III, appeals anew to congressmen for BBL passage appeared first on UNTV News.