Congress to Exert Effort to Pass Draft Bangsamoro Law in January, Says Palace

Leaders of Congress have assured that they will exert all efforts to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) when sessions resume in January after their month-long holiday break, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the government is closely coordinating with Congress to thresh out concerns about the measure.

“We have been informed by Congress leaders that efforts will be exerted to pass the BBL when Congress resumes its sessions in January,” he said.

The House of Representatives is set to adjourn its session on December 19 and resume on January 19.

During his meeting with legislators in Malacañang last December 8, President Benigno S. Aquino III urged them to pass the BBL before Congress goes on holiday break.

During the meeting, the President asked the lawmakers to rise to the challenge of being able to “change the narrative”, referring to the cycle of violence and poverty that has stalled peace and progress in Mindanao.

The proposed BBL was originally transmitted to both the House of Representatives and the Senate in September 2014. The measure seeks to establish a new autonomous entity to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (PCOO)