Congress ends BBL deliberations; final version out soon

The bicameral conference committee, tasked to harmonize Congress’ versions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), concluded their deliberations on all provisions of the proposed measure past midnight Friday, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said.

“Yes, we finished everything in principle at 12:15 a.m.,” Fariñas, a co-chair of the panel, said in a message to reporters.

He said the committee has authorized him and another co-chair, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, to finalize the report in the coming days.

The joint committee will meet again on Tuesday, July 17, to approve the final version of the BBL and, immediately forward it to President Rodrigo Duterte for his consideration.

If Duterte approves that final BBL version, Fariñas said both chambers of Congress would have it ratified in plenary when they convene their third regular session on July 23, at 10:00 a.m., for it to be signed into law by the President on or before his State of the Nation Address at 4:00 p.m. /kga