Aquino studying Bangsamoro draft as deadline nears

Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is still being studied by President Benigno Aquino III, Malacañang said Tuesday despite the government’s promise that it will be submitted to Congress within the week.

“Patuloy na pinag-aaralan ng Pangulo ang inihaing draft ng Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a Palace briefing.

(The President continues to study the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.)

Nevertheless, he said it would immediately be submitted to Congress as “urgent legislative measure.”

“Merong sense of urgency dito dahil sa nailatag na timetable ng Bangsamoro peace process,” Coloma explained.

(There is sense of urgency here because of the Bangsamoro peace process timetable.)

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles earlier said that the BBL was expected to be submitted to Congress within August.

The BBL, a product of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro that aims to end the decades-old armed conflict in Mindanao, has been delayed because of contentious issues on wealth and power sharing between the central government and the soon-to-be established Bangsamoro political entity.

But Coloma said the peace panels of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which were forced to step in after the Bangsamoro Transition Council complained of the BBL version of the Office of the President, has already agreed on the important issues.

“Ang pahayag ni Secretary Deles ay nagkaroon na ng pagkakasunduan hinggil sa mga importanteng isyu kaya nga’t sila ay nagpasya na ihahain na ito sa ating Pangulo,” he said.

(Secretary Deles already stated that they had agreed on the important issues, and they were able to forward the draft to the President.)

During his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona), Aquino asked Congress to pass the BBL before the year ends for enough time to prepare for the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro, which will coincide with the 2016 elections.

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