FILE PHOTO: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte receives a draft of the newly proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in a turnover ceremony at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace on July 17, 2017. Joining the President are (from left) Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Murad Ebrahim, Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chair Ghazali Jaafar, and MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The government peace panel and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) are optimistic that the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be passed into law before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte in July.
According to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), they expect the Congress to approve the proposed bill in May.
This is amid fears of continuous delays on the passage of the BBL because of the impending impeachment trial in the Senate as well as the pushing of federalism in Congress.
“I am saying there’s a positive environment because the leadership committed that they will pass it,” said GPH implementing panel chair Usec. Nabil Tan.
“And with the push of the president and whole stakeholders I guess we have a very good chance God willing,” he added.
“The timeline of its passage is actually on or before sine die which is May 30, 2018,” said Amin party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan.
According to BTC, they do not see any problem with the passage of the BBL as they have thoroughly studied every provision of the bill, particularly the provision of self-governance of the Bangsamoro adapting the parliamentary form of government.
“There is, in fact, no idea of a substate in the present BTC version,” said BTC Comm. Atty. Jose Lorena.
The BTC and OPAPP are still hopeful that Congress will consider the passage of the BBL which is believed to resolve historical injustices and armed conflict in the Mindanao Region. — Nel Maribojoc | UNTV News & Rescue
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