Palace OK with delay in BBL passage

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Despite another delay, Malacañang on Tuesday said it welcomes the new timetable for the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law in Congress.

The House of Representatives initially agreed to pass the bill on third reading on June 11. But because of the lengthy discussions, House leaders decided to finish the interpellation period by Wednesday and approve the bill after President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 27.

READ: House scraps opt-in proviso in draft BBL

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the new schedule would be an opportunity for a “continuing dialogue.”

“The decision of Congress leaders to continue working on the enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law beyond the current session provides an opportunity to gain broader support for achieving long-term peace, stability and progress in Mindanao,” he said in a statement.

Coloma said it would allow Congress to “harmonize” the different views of stakeholders.

Nevertheless, he said the Executive hopes that the bill will be “enacted shortly after Congress re-convenes in July.”

“We will intensify efforts at creating heightened citizen awareness that is essential in engaging their active participation in the peace process,” he added.