House leader to seek consensus on BBL

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas vowed on Tuesday to find a consensus among pro and anti-Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) lawmakers as the lower chamber seeks to fast-track the passage of the proposed legislation by May 30.

Fariñas said they will probably hold a caucus next week “to sift through the different conflicting provisions (of the BBL)” and to “find middle ground” between opposing sides.

“They will convince each other, give and take sila. Our Muslim brothers and sisters want the version presented by Bangsamoro Transition Commission, ang others iba… pag-usapan na natin ng maaga, mag-debate, all members will be there and vote on provisions para sa plenary mabilis na,” he told reporters.

“Kailangan ma-approve by May 30,” he also noted.

The House Leader has also assured that all lawmakers would be heard during the caucus.

“Of course they will be heard but not necessarily approved,” he pointed out.

Also on Tuesday, joint committees on local government, Muslim affairs, and the special committee on peace, unity, and reconciliation approved the committee report on the BBL.

READ: House joint panel approves committee report on BBL

The report has adopted House Bill (HB) 6475 as the Chamber’s version of BBL without amendments.                        /kga