Palace: Duterte unlikely to sign BBL as urgent

A certificate of urgency may not be needed to pass the Bangsamoro basic Law (BBL) because of the stark differences between the versions of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“Hindi na po siguro magkakaroon ng certification of urgency kasi unang una po magkaiba yung bersyon ng kamara at Senado,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised press briefing in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

(I think the certification of urgency may no longer be issued because the versions of the House and the Senate are different.)

Roque, however, said Congress leaders have agreed to reconcile differences in the bill to pass it in time.

“Pero ang importante po nagkaroon ng kasunduan sa panig ng dalawang kapulungan na makipag ugnayan at gagawin talaga ang lahat po ng magagawa para mareconcile yung bersyon ng Senado at Kamara,” he added.

(But what is important is the two chambers agree to coordinate and agree to do everything to reconcile the version of the Senate and the House.)

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said during Congress leaders’ meeting with Duterte on Monday night, the President granted their request to certify the BBL as urgent so the House and Senate can pass it on

Wednesday before Congress adjourns its session.

It will resume on July 23, Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address. /muf

READ: Duterte to sign into law landmark BBL on July 23 – Fariñas