Bangsamoro Basic Law will be submitted to Congress on time, says Palace

President Benigno Aquino III at the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Malacanang Photo Bureau

MANILA — A Palace official said Malacanang is working on the review of the Bangsamoro Basic Law with urgency assuring the public that it will be soon submitted to Congress.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said time is running out for the submission of the draft law to Congress.

Iqbal also chairs the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, comprised of experts from the government and the MILF, which drafted the bill.

In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo on Bayan on Saturday, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace is working very hard on the review of the draft law and the President himself made several follow ups.

“The President himself has made several follow-ups on the legal team but the President is also cognizant and is understanding of the task that is at hand,” Valte said.

Valte also said the President saw the three-inch thick draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Valte quoted the President as saying: “I am very cognizant of the urgency but I’m also understanding of the task at hand.”

“Nagche-check na din si Pangulo kung kamusta na ‘yung review,” she said.

Congress will ratify the Bangsamoro Basic Law which will replace the organic act that created the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Peace Adviser Teresita Deles expressed confidence that the draft bill would be submitted before Congress adjourns on June 7.

She said the President wants to make it sure that he certifies the draft as urgent that can be defended in Congress during deliberations.

Deles said the Chief Executive does not want false promises to achieve a lasting peace in Mindanao which for several decades ravaged the region.