BBL faces more hurdles in Senate
The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) still faces a few hurdles in the Senate as some senators are pushing for more than 100 amendments to Senate Bill No. 1717.
With three session days left, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he was pushing for some 150 proposed amendments for a responsible and constitutional BBL.
In an interview over dwIZ on Saturday, Recto raised concerns on the constitutionality of some provisions, such as shared powers between the national government and the Bangsamoro government over the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR).
“Can the powers of the national government be reduced? We can devolve but the national government’s powers cannot be reduced. The Constitution does not recognize shared or exclusive power,” he said.
READ: ‘Battered but not out’: 4 key provisions in BBL face amendments
Another issue was the proposed parliamentary system of government in the BAR. The Philippines currently has a unitary and presidential form of government.
Recto also raised concerns over proposals that the BAR get a P150-billion annual budget from the national government, without having to give back.
“Should we allow that? Should they contribute nothing to national development … if the taxpayers of the Philippines are paying for it?” he said.
