Despite 15 session days left to tackle the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), Rep. Rufuz Rodriguez of Cagayan De Oro City, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL is confident “They still have time to finish the bill by September 15.”
“There will be quorum on Monday
(August 24) up to Wednesday. We will have interpellations,” Rep. Rodriguez
told MindaNews in a text message.
The period of interpellation on House Bill 5811, the
substitute bill filed by Rodriguez’ committee started June 2 and was suspended
on June 10 when Congress adjourned sine die. At that time, only eight of the 38
who had signed up, completed their interpellation.
Interpellations were supposed to have resumed on August 4
but no quorum was mustered on August 4 and 5.
No interpellation was done on the third week – August 17, 18
and 19 – again because of quorum problems.
At the Senate, the period of interpellation on SB 2894, the
substitute bill, was supposed to have started on August 17 but senators asked
for another week to study the bill. Interpellations will begin Monday, August
24.
On August 16, Rodriguez told DZBB that he hopes his
colleagues would be present on August 17 “until we finish this bill for the
second and third reading in the middle of September” because according to the
calendar of the Committee on Rules, the 2016 budget will be debated in the
plenary by September 28.
“There will be no more debates, so therefore the real
deadline for the passage of the BBL is on or before Sept. 28,” Rep. Rodriguez
said.
Rep. Rodriguez also told MindaNews on August 16 that there
were “only 16 representatives left to interpellate,” as some of those who
signed up had backed out. He said the 16 includes Zamboanga City Rep. Celso
Lobregat and Biazon, who have yet to complete their interpellations.
No interpellation was done on August 16, 17 and 18, again
due to quorum problems.
The period of interpellation is followed by the period of
amendments. The House then votes on the measure, transmits it to the Senate,
Senate acts on the approved bill of the House and this is followed by a
Conference Committee. The bill is then transmitted to the President who will
either approve or veto the bill.
If no BBL is passed before Congress goes on recess,
elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will proceed as
scheduled in 2016.
The substitute bills in the House and the Senate are being
criticized for paving the way for a Bangsamoro that will be “less than the ARMM
that it seeks to replace.”
The draft BBL was submitted to Congress by the Bangsamoro
Transition Commission (BTC) in ceremonial rites held in Malacanang on September
10, 2014. It became HB 4994 in the House and SB 2408 in the Senate. These were
replaced by substitute bills HB 5811 and SB 2894.
The BTC “strongly expresses its support to the passage of
the BBL in its original form (HB 4994), as the provisions of the same are
consistent with the letter and spirit of the Comprehensive Agreement on the
Bangsamoro (CAB) and the peace talks.”
The resolution also said it “stands firm” that HB 4994 “is
the most appropriate version based on the FAB and CAB and considering that it
is the one that underwent the legitimate process of consultation with the
people and engagement with the Office of the President.”
The BTC also “implores the better judgment of the leadership
of both Houses of Congress to pass the BBL in its original form and to
henceforth act according to the terms of the peace agreements.”
Rep. Rodriguez emphasized that they may not be able to heed
the BTC’s call be for two reasons: “We impressed on them that if we lose those
(representatives) who supported us then, we will have a more difficult chance
in the plenary… I hope the MILF will see that what we have done is for the best
interest of the Bangsamoro and also for Congress”.
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