Solons start harmonizing 4 proposed versions of BBL

The first order of business for a joint House panel handling the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is to prepare a working draft harmonizing the four versions of the bill, lawmakers said on Friday.

The House committees on local government, on Muslim affairs, and on peace, reconciliation and unity created a subcommittee on Tuesday to consolidate the four proposed bills, including one filed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and other House leaders based on the draft submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition Council to President Rodrigo Duterte in July.

Once a final version is approved, a committee report shall be sent to the plenary floor for debates and put to a vote.

House leaders have pledged to pass the measure  before Congress adjourns in March 2018.

South Cotabatao Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr., chair of the local government committee, said the four bills would grant the envisioned Bangsamoro region in Mindanao more flexibility and a wider range of authority in politics, economy and finance.