Drilon: We’ll work double time to pass Bangsamoro bill early next year

Senate President Franklin Drilon. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —  Senate President Franklin Drilon on Friday vowed to work “double time” to ensure that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law would be enacted into law by the first quarter of 2015.

“We congratulate the government panel and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace negotiators for overcoming great challenges,” Drilon said in a statement after both parties announced that they have reached an agreement on various issues regarding the draft measure.

He said the successful talks between the two sides to iron out differences in the proposed law  “only proves that we all share a desire for peace, equality and prosperity as a nation.”

“The Senate, for its part, vows to work double time so that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law will be passed into law by the first quarter of next year,” Drilon said.

“The Bangsamoro Basic Law represents all our hopes and aspirations for a lasting and genuine peace and inclusive social and economic development in Mindanao. We will not fail the Filipino people, especially our brothers and sisters in Mindanao,” the Senate leader added.

If approved by Congress, the Bangsamoro Basic Law would pave the way for the establishment of a Bangsamoro autonomous region to be led by the Moro people.