Bangsamoro Basic Law debates finally end
After six months of interpellation and debate, the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) finally moves on to the period of amendments.
During the session Wednesday, Lanao Del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong moved for the termination of the interpellation and debate.
“(Considering that the bill was) sufficiently deliberated… that no member has registered to speak against the bill, I move that in the spirit of Christmas, we close the period of sponsorship and debate on the (BBL),” Balindong said.
Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong seconded the motion.
“With the issues being raised here repeatedly and substantially discussed and clarified… the motion to close the plenary debates is hereby seconded,” Loong said.
With the plenary debates ended, the bill moves on to the period of amendments, when expected to be tackled is the controversial opt-in provision, which allows for the expansion of the core Bangsamoro territory upon a petition of the voters.
In the fifth or 10th year after the passage, according to the bill, the Bangsamoro territory may spill over to contiguous areas upon a petition of voters under the said areas.
The proposed measure seeks to create a more politically autonomous Bangsamoro region to implement the government peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The interpellation on the BBL which started in June was stalled because of quorum woes hounding the chamber as the 2016 campaign period draws near.
READ: Quorum lack on BBL bill bothers Belmonte
President Benigno Aquino III talked with some 150 solons in a bid to get their support to speed up the passage of the bill before next year, when it is seen that quorum would be more difficult to achieve because of the election campaign.
The President urged solons to seize the opportunity in passing the bill to respond to the threat of global terrorism.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has said that the House plans to finish the plenary debates before Congress goes on Christmas break on Dec. 19 and to finally pass it when it resumes on Jan. 19, 2016.
