Gov't, MILF acknowledge Constitution while drafting the proposed BBL

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 17): Gov't, MILF acknowledge Constitution while drafting the proposed BBL

A Palace official on Monday said parties to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) have taken into consideration the Constitution in drafting the proposed measure.

This was assured by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. when asked for his reaction on Senator Bongbong Marcos' statement that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) can appeal for amendments in the revised version of the measure but not the original version.

He said both the government and the MILF heeded the Constitution and used this as the basis of the provisions of the BBL.

Marcos, who is the chairman of Senate's local government committee, has submitted a substitute BBL bill after noting that some provisions of the initial measure are unconstitutional.

He earlier stressed that the substitute BBL measure will definitely have amendments to take into account information and suggestions that would come out during the hearings.

Hearings for the proposed bill starts Monday in the Senate.

Over the weekend, Coloma said lawmakers should look at the big picture in assessing the proposed BBL.

He thinks that it is still premature to question the BBL since plenary hearings have not started.

He also pointed out that members of Congress and the Senate will need to consolidate their suggestions and recommendations before the proposed measure is approved into law.

He stressed that the proposed BBL is among the top priorities in both the Congress and the Senate after the proposed 2016 national budget.

Discussions with leaders of both houses of Congress continue, he said, hoping that lawmakers attend the hearings to show their support on the proposed bill.

"Batid naman po nila iyong proseso at batid din nila na naghihintay ang buong sambayanan at nagmamasid sa kanilang pagganap sa kanilang tungkulin (They know the process and they are aware that the whole country is waiting and are watching them)," he added.

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