Malacañang
on Sunday called on all lawmakers to attend and vote for the
draft Bangsamoro Basic Law when they resume session today after a
week-long break to make way for the Philipppines’ hosting of the Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation’s summit.
“Maybe, our call
would best be left to the call of the leaders in both Houses to ensure the attendance
of all their members. We certainly would hope to see the passage of the BBL,”
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in an interview over
state-run radio station dzRB.
Laciarda said the
BBL has been debated in the committee level, and it has been discussed in
public.
“All angles
have been addressed. So it’s time for the legislators who will pass the law to
buckle down and we request them to take a hard look at the BBL,” said
Lacierda.
Lacierda cited
that the proposed BBL is an affirmative action needed to mind the neglected
regions in Muslim Mindanao.
“So this will
unlock the potentials of it and with respect to the development of Muslim
Mindanao,” Lacierda also said.
The Palace
spokesperson said he is hoping that the lawmakers would listen to the call of
Senate President Franklin Drilon.
“All of us have
an interest and we have a stake in the development of Muslim Mindanao because
it will redound to the benefit of all the peoples of Mindanao and, in general,
to the people of the Philippines
Last Saturday,
Drilon reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment towards the establishment of peace in
Mindanao through the proposed BBL, allaying fears that the Mindanao
peace measure is now in limbo.
“We have enough
time and political will to ensure that this bill so crucial to forging peace in
Muslim Mindanao will be passed and see the light of the day,” Drilon said.
Drilon said that
while the 2016 national budget will consume most of the Senate’s legislative
calendar as it resumes session on Monday, after a weeklong holiday
due to the Asia Pacific Economic Council Cooperation meetings, the enactment of
BBL into law is still a “top priority.”
He said there
remain four weeks of plenary sessions still left in the 16th Congress’ calendar
for the year.
Drilon said that
he is coordinating with the bill’s sponsor, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to
ensure that the bill’s passage is still doable before the year ends.
He thus renewed
his calls to his colleagues especially those running for next year’s elections,
to be present in the plenary hearings and actively participate in
deliberations.
“I call on my
colleagues not to abandon this piece of legislation so crucial to the
establishment of peace and development in Mindanao .
We can make the most of out our remaining session days by passing this bill,
along with other important legislation such as the 2016 national budget,”
Drilon said.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/news/-main-stories/192583/palace-pushes-bbl-approval.html
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