Palace hopes for Bangsamoro election in 2016

Despite the House of Representatives missing its target to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), Malacañang is optimistic that elections in the region would push through in May 2016.

READ: BBL target missed, next is September

“As far as I know, the possibility (of synchronizing the Bangsamoro elections with the national elections) is still there,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in Filipino.

“Kailangan lang suriin nang mas masusi, kasi nga may mga timetable ang Comelec hinggil sa paghahanda ng plebesito at pagkatapos, hinggil sa pag-file ng certificate of candidacy at iba pang mga proseso hinggil sa halalan,” he said over radio station dwIZ.

(We just need to closely study the timetable of the Commission on Elections regarding the plebiscite and, afterwards, the filing of candidacy and other election processes.)

READ: Comelec ready for Bangsamoro plebiscite

The lower chamber failed to meet its June 11 target to pass on third and final reading the draft BBL, which is a product of a peace pact between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said they plan to approve the measure in September, after President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address (Sona).

After the BBL is approved by the two houses of Congress, it will be submitted to Aquino. Comelec will then hold a plebiscite in provinces covered by the Bangsamoro.

The MILF has already created the United Bangsamoro Justice Party for the 2016 elections.

READ: Bangsamoro party ready for elections, says MILF

Coloma said the Aquino administration is determined to achieve peace in Mindanao.