Zubiri defends anti-political dynasty provision under Senate’s version of BBL

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri defended on Monday the anti-political dynasty provision and the enumeration of the powers of the Bangsamoro under the Senate’s version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Zubiri, who also chairs the upper chamber’s subcommittee on the BBL, said these provisions are essential to the Bangsamoro.

“Matagal nang naging problema sa Mindanao ‘yung issues sa political dynasties kaya naglagay kami ng provision kung saan bawal po ang mga political families within second degree of consanguinity na magsama sa Bangsamoro parliament, para hindi hindi iisang pamilya lamang ang may hawak ng Bangsa parliament,” he explained in an interview over GMA News TV’s “News to Go.”

Under the Senate version, he said they also removed the provision stating that the Bangsamoro has reserve concurrent and exclusive powers in a bid to make the BBL organic Act simple.

“Tinanggal po namin ‘yan dahil gusto namin maging simple lamang itong organic act. Kasi kung merong reserved, concurrent at exclusive powers parang confusing,” Zubiri pointed out.

“Anong ibig sabihin nyan pag hindi po nakalista sa reserved powers ng government pwede po gawin ng Bangsamoro ‘yun? So ang gusto po ng ating  mga kasamahan na katulad ng ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), ‘yung powers of the autonomous region are enumerated, nilagay na lang namin ‘yung kapangyarihan ng Bangsamoro,” he added.

Zubiri said all powers that are not stated in their proposed BBL would automatically be exclusive to the national government.

Meanwhile, the senator also reiterated his earlier statement that their version would “pass the test of constitutionality in the Supreme Court” and that the Congress would finish crafting a unified version of the BBL in time for its ratification and signing into law on July 23.

Last Wednesday, the House overwhelmingly approved on final reading House Bill 6475 or the chamber’s version of the BBL. Senate also did the same with Senate Bill 1717.

Representatives of the Senate and the House are set to meet on July 9 to 13 in a bicameral conference to craft a unified version of the BBL which seeks to abolish the ARMM and establish a new Bangsamoro government. /vvp