Manila Times
President Benigno Aquino 3rd promised to submit to Congress the draft bill for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by the end of August, but Malacanang said that as of yesterday he was still reviewing the draft.
The president “is still reviewing the draft BBL, with assistance of OP [office of the president] legal staff,” said Presidential communications secretary Herminio Coloma Jr in a text message to The Manila Times.
Last week, Malacanang committed to submit the draft law to Congress by the end of August. The peace panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) submitted the draft law to president Aquino last August 20.
“As stated by him in the Bombo (Radyo) interview, it is imperative that the BBL is enacted to enable the transition process to materialize with sufficient preparation for election in 2016 of those who will serve as officials of the Bangsamoro political entity.” Coloma said.
The submission of the proposed BBL was delayed because of the review of provisions that needed to be harmonised. Officials said they have to ensure the draft bill would pass the scrutiny of Congress and other stakeholders.
Once the draft is approved by Congress, a plebiscite will be held and a transition authority created. An election in the Bangsamoro will be held in 2016 to choose the new entity’s leaders.
The proposed law is the enabling measure that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with a new Bangsamoro self-governing entity.
