Lawmakers Urge Colleagues to Pass BBL that Reflects Hopes, Dreams of Bangsamoro People

As Congress inch closer to the deadline of passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), 20 lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Monday called on their colleagues to ensure a firm and steadfast law that will fulfill the promise of change in Mindanao in the form of a just and lasting peace.

In a statement released to media, the lawmakers urged for the passing of a BBL that is reflective of the hopes and dreams of the Moro people, which in turn, represent the aspirations of all Filipinos.

The statement was signed by Deputy Speakers Henedina Abad (Batanes) and Pangalian Balindong (Lanao del Sur) as well as Representatives Henry Oaminal (Misamis Occidental), Arthur Defensor, Jr. (Iloilo), Anthony del Rosario (Capiz), Kaka Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands), Barry Gutierrez (Akbayan Party-List), Bolet Banal (Quezon City) and Jesus Sacdalan (North Cotabato).

Also signing were Representatives Jose Christopher Belmonte (Quezon City), Bai Sandra Sema (Maguindanao / Cotabato City), Leni Robredo (Camarines Sur), Zajid Mangudadatu (Maguindanao), Sherwin Tugna (CIBAC Party-List), Jorge Almonte (Misamis Occidental), Rep. Tupay Loong (Sulu), Silvestre Bello III (1-BAP Party-List), Jim Hataman-Salliman (Basilan) and Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo (Lanao del Norte).

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat have no signature affixed to the statement but has expressed his intention to sign.

In the statement, the lawmakers expressed their desire for a BBL that is responsive to the needs and issues of all inhabitants of the proposed Bangsamoro Region.“We want a BBL that will truly correct the historical and present-day injustices that will ultimately lead us towards peace in Mindanao and in the entire country,” the statement said.

The lawmakers said that they had taken the initiative to carefully and critically study the draft BBL currently being heard by the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL at the House of Representatives.

“We have undertaken thorough discussions beyond formal congressional hearings. We have devoted time outside the regular working hours of the House in order to come up with amendments to the BBL that are still consistent with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.”

“This was done together with the consideration of various opinions that seek to refine the current proposal to turn it into one that will sincerely represent the interests of all Filipinos, especially our Moro brothers and sisters,” the statement read.

The statement was released as the House ad hoc panel on the BBL deferred voting on the measure to Tuesday morning as some lawmakers continued proposing amendments to the measure.

The committee, which is headed by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, was scheduled to start voting on the proposed BBL Monday but gave way to a series of amendments.

Earlier, Rodriguez said that several major provisions of the BBL would be amended to avoid running against the Constitution.

These provisions pertain to the creation of the Bangsamoro Commissions on Audit, Elections, Human Rights, Civil Service, and Office of the Ombudsman.

Furthermore, provision granting power to the Bangsamoro chief minister over the police and the clause which provides protocols for the operations of the military in the envisioned Bangsamoro region are being eyed to be deleted.

The eighth provision being eyed to be deleted is the one allowing areas outside the Bangsamoro core territory to hold a plebiscite that will make them part of the Bangsamoro region.

Rodriguez said at least 60 provisions of the BBL would be amended while the rest would be “improved” to ensure the BBL won’t enable the creation of a sub-state or trigger secession.

The committee will vote per provision before voting on the bill in its entirety.

The voting is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. (PNA) RMA/CMR