House Creates Ad Hoc Committee to Scrutinize Bangsamoro Basic Law

Manila (PNA) — The House of Representatives on Monday adopted a resolution creating the ad hoc committee with 75 members to review, evaluate and propose legislation relative to the comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro Basic Law [BBL] and has the mandate to finish its work within six months from its establishment.

During plenary session, lawmakers gave the green light to create the ad hoc committee through House Resolution 1462 filed by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., and House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II in line with the scheduled submission of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to Congress by President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday (Sept. 9).

“This is to help expedite the process of approving the measure,” said Gonzales in a text message, referring to the BBL aimed at ending the rebellion of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country’s largest Muslim rebel group.

“An ad hoc committee must be established to study, deliberate and act upon all matters related to the advancement and welfare of the Bangsamoro people, and make the Bangsamoro Basic Law the basis of lasting peace and prosperity in Mindanao,” the resolution read.

“The Ad Hoc Committee shall continuously meet and submit its reports and recommendation to the House of Representatives within six months from its organizations,” the resolution stressed.

The resolution said the ad hoc committee which shall exercise jurisdiction over all matters directly and principally relating to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro shall have a total of 75 members.

Belmonte said he would immediately elect the officials and members of the ad hoc committee tasked to deliberate the proposed BBL to be led by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez after President Aquino submits the draft’s final version.

“I guess his presence is a matter of personal appeal for us to work double time, he wants to underscore the importance of this legislation to ensure the success of the peace process,” Belmonte added.

Rodriguez is a lawyer and a former commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) during the term of then President Joseph Ejercito who launched an all-out-war against the MILF.

On the other hand, Gonzales reiterated that creating the ad hoc panel is a practical way of deliberating the BBL instead of allowing four standing committees which include the House committees on local government headed by General Santos City Rep. Pedro Acharon; on Mindanao affairs chaired by Sultan Kudarat Rep. Arnuldo Go; on Muslim affairs led by Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong; and on revision of laws headed by Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas; and the House special committee on peace, reconciliation and unity chaired by Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman to jointly hear the BBL which will require quorum in every panel before proceeding to discussions.

Aside from Rodriguez, Gonzales said the House of Representatives has almost completed the selection of five lawmakers who will serve as his vice chairmen in the ad hoc committee.

Gonzales said the deputies of Rodriguez will be the head of the above-mentioned four standing committees and one special panel.

“The heads of the four standing committees, namely representatives Acharon, Go, Loong and Agabas and the special panel headed by Congressman Hataman-Salliman will be named vice chairmen of the ad hoc panel,” Gonzales said, adding that lawmakers from Mindanao will be automatic members.

The Bangsamoro Transition Commission is the one in-charge to submit the draft bill to Congress aimed at creating the new Bangsamoro juridical entity replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

This was the result of another peace talks being pushed by the government with the MILF.

The Bangsamoro measure was an offshoot of the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) by the Government Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the MILF last March 27. (PNA) LAM/SFM