Civil society groups continue to push for BBL passage despite new deadlines in Congress

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 5): Civil society groups continue to push for BBL passage despite new deadlines in Congress

Civil society groups will continue drumming up support for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) despite a recent pronouncement from Senate President Franklin Drilon that the bill's passage would not likely happen prior to Congress’ recess on October 9.

In separate statements, policy center Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) and academic consortium Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) continued to push for the immediate passage of the BBL that is reflective of the spirit and intention of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the 2014 peace accord signed by the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“The CAB, in particular, lays down the foundation for meaningful political autonomy namely a clear delineation of powers between the national and regional government and a regional parliamentary system. It strengthens fiscal autonomy through a block grant system and a degree of control and management of the region’s natural resources,” the IAG statement read.

Similarly, CEAP called on lawmakers to be mindful of the CAB as they continue deliberations on the draft law.

“Should the legislators or the courts repudiate the peace agreement that the executive forged with the MILF, they take responsibility for the ensuing peace or war into their own hands,” CEAP warned.

IAG is based in Cotabato City with strong national and international linkages. The group has provided technical assistance in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law particularly in the areas of transitory mechanisms and processes, decentralized and ministerial system of government, elections and political party systems.

On the other hand, CEAP strives to respond to social, political, moral and other critical issues based on consultations with the different regions and calls for the collective action of its members when the situation so requires.

The original draft of the BBL was officially transmitted by President Benigno S. Aquino III to Congress in September 10, 2014.

The bill was subjected to almost 100 public hearings and consultations by the House ad hoc committee on the BBL and the Senate committee on local government, separately, before both chambers started plenary deliberations on their respective versions of the bill.

However, the House of Representatives has currently put BBL debates on hold as deliberations have already begun on the proposed General Appropriations Act for 2016.

Given the continued delays in the passage of the BBL, IAG appealed to all stakeholders in the peace process to “devote all remaining energy and time to reach a consensus” on key identified areas.

It also reminded lawmakers of the transition period needed to bridge the current ARMM and the Bangsamoro government.

“The transition must provide sufficient time, resources and mechanisms to raise the institutional and human resources capacities of the future Bangsamoro government to build and administer strong autonomous governance infrastructures,” said IAG.(

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