BBL versions to be alike…

FOR PEACE IN MINDANAO --- President Rodrigo R. Duterte engages in a discussion with Moro 
Islamic Liberation Front Chair Al-Hajj Murad, Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chairman Ghadzali 
Jaafar, and MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal during a meeting at 
the Malacañang Palace on April 4, 2018.(Ace Morandante/Presidential Photos)

MANILA --- Malacañang on Thursday (May 24) said that it was not stalling the process of certifying the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as urgent but only making sure that versions of both chambers of the Congress are alike.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier promised that he would certify the BBL as urgent noting that it was one of the only ways to achieve long-lasting peace in Mindanao.

“Wala naman pong dahilan para maantala 'yung certification as urgent. Even without the certification as urgent, pinapasa ng parehong kapulungan ng Kongreso 'yung BBL (There is no reason to delay the certification as urgent. Even without the certification as urgent, both chambers of the Congress have committed to passing the BBL),” Roque said in a briefing in Marawi City.

“Pero siguro po, sinisiguro lang ng Office of the President na magkapareho yung panukalang batas (But perhaps, the Office of the President wants to assure that their proposed bills are alike),” he added.

Roque, a former congressman himself, explained that if the versions of the bill are alike in the House of Representatives and Senate, it would speed up its passage.

“Kinakailangan po kasi 'yan parehong-pareho para mapabilis at kapag certified urgent ‘yan pu-pwedeng maaprubahan ‘yan sa isang araw on second and third reading (We have to make sure that the versions of the bill are identical for its immediate passage and once we’ve certified it as urgent, it can be approved in one day on second and third reading),” Roque said.

If the Senate and House versions are alike, Roque said that he expects both chambers to approve the bill on the same day on second and third reading and no longer need to convene in a bicameral conference to reconcile both their versions.

“Inaasahan ng Malacañang pareho na 'yung version para both chambers can approve the bill on the same day on second and third reading at saka wala nang bicam kung pareho naman sila para mabilis (Malacañang expects the versions to be alike so both chambers can approve the bill on the same day on second and third reading and there would no longer be a bicam if they’re the same),”

Roque, meanwhile, said that the Palace still expects Congress to hold on to its promise to meet the deadline for the passage of the BBL before Congress adjourns sine die on May 30.

“‘Yan po ang ipinangako din ng liderato ng Kongreso -- hindi po sila magre-recess nang hindi maaprubahan ang BBL before they adjourn on May 30 (That is the promise of the leaders of the Congress -- they won’t go on recess until the BBL is approved before they adjourn on May 30),” Roque said.

“We’re holding them to their promise kasi wala naman pong dahilan para hindi na sila ma-meet ang deadline (because there’s no reason that they can’t meet the deadline),” he added, noting that the House even has a two-hour all-member’s caucus to discuss the BBL.

He described the deadline set by Duterte as “realistic” noting that the House of Representatives, in particular, is known to push for the immediate passage of bills prioritized by the administration.

The BBL seeks to establish a new Bangsamoro political entity with more autonomy.

Roque said that the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front have both expressed their support for the BBL’s passage. (Azer Parrocha, PNA)