Gov’t peace panel told to work faster on Bangsamoro Basic Law

Senate President Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Franklin Drilon urged the government peace panel to submit to Congress the Bangsamoro Basic Law as soon as possible saying they intend to have it passed on third reading by early 2015.

“Submit it to Congress as soon as possible. The longer it takes, the harder it becomes for Congress to pass it,” Drilon said in a media forum Monday.

“We will work double time and first quarter of next year is a reasonable period to pass this law,” he said.

The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) panels have yet to finish a draft Bangsamoro Basic Law after the end of the most recent negotiations, which is already the third series of talks.

Both panels said in a statement that they have agreed on “substantial portions” but that there are “remaining challenges and unsettled issues.”

They met previously in Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and the most recent in Davao. They will meet again to finish the Bangsamoro Basic Law by August 18.

Drilon assured that the bill will have to go through the scrutiny of Congress to ensure it follows the constitution.

“[The Bangsamoro Basic Law] must be within the four corners of the constitution. It cannot be outside of the constitution,” Drilon said.

“Non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law is not an option,” he said.

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