House panel approves Bangsamoro Basic Law

The House ad hoc committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on Wednesday voted to approve the measure formalizing the creation of a new political entity that will replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Voting 48-18 with one abstention, the panel approved the committee report on the proposed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region after two days of marathon hearings where committee members voted on each of the provisions contained in the bill.

The result of the voting was announced by panel chairman, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Wednesday afternoon.

Following the ad hoc panel’s approval of the bill, the measure will be deliberated on by the joint committee on appropriations and ways and means, which will iron out details on funding its implementation.

It is expected to be introduced to the plenary either Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

The Bangsamoro bill, a top priority measure of the Aquino administration, seeks to recognize the Bangsamoro’s aspiration for self-determination by giving them greater power in governing themselves.

Under the proposed legislation, the autonomous Bangsamoro government will be parliamentary in form, to be headed by a Chief Minister.

The original draft BBL was a product of the comprehensive peace agreement signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 2014 after 17 years of on-and-off negotiations.

Committee members, however, agreed to use as basis for their voting this week the so-called “Chairman and Vice Chairpersons’ Working Draft” of the BBL, which was finalized following a meeting between House leaders and President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang over the weekend.

Source: GMA News