House panel now opens BBL voting to public

AFTER initially wanting to conduct voting behind closed doors, the House of Representatives ad hoc Bangsamoro committee on Monday opened its doors to the public for the voting of the proposed Bangsamoro basic law (BBL).

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales III attended the first day of voting.

The panel started voting on a per line amendment. Chairman Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the voting would be through roll call.

Rodriguez earlier said some lawmakers wanted an executive session because they do not like making their votes public for a bill riddled with constitutional issues.

The House is expected to vote on a per line basis on the bill from Monday to Wednesday.

The proposed BBL would create a more politically autonomous Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and implement the government peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Lawmakers were critical of various provisions seen as contradictory to the Constitution.

Among the contested provisions are the creation of a Bangsamoro police, a commission on audit and an election body.

However, the Citizen’s Peace Council led by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide said the bill remains compliant with the Constitution. AC