Belmonte to colleagues: Make history, pass Bangsamoro basic law

Photo by Hotaru Niitsu/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines –Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Monday called on the House of Representatives to make history by passing the Bangsamoro basic law, which aims to implement the recently signed peace accord between government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In his speech on’ the opening of the 16th Congress second regular session, Belmonte said they are “given this momentous opportunity to make history by passing a responsive Bangsamoro basic law…”

The Bangsamoro law “shall establish a solid framework for genuine peace and enduring stability in Mindanao within the bounds of the Constitution,” he added.

Malacañang has yet to submit the law even while it called on Congress to pass it before the year ends.

Belmonte reiterated his support for the immediate passage of the law.

“As soon as a draft measure is submitted to Congress, we must ensure the judicious passage of this law,” he added.

Congress is awaiting the draft of the Bangsamoro basic law from the Office of the President. The law, which needs the Congress’ nod, would implement the recently signed Bangsamoro deal that ended the decades-long secessionist movement of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

But the recently signed Bangsamoro deal has drawn criticisms because it purportedly calls for amendments to the constitution for it to be implemented.

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