Aquino to submit Bangsamoro law

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

MANILA – The long wait is over. The Bangsamoro Basic Law will finally be submitted to Congress on Wednesday.

A Senate source revealed in a Philippine Star report that the draft of the bill will finally be submitted by President Aquino in a ceremony that will be held in Malacañang.

The source also added that several leaders of both houses including Senate President Franklin Drilon and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and the rest of the house members will be joining the event.

Reports that several representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and panel negotiators will be attending the event, were not confirmed by the source.

Presidential Communications Operations Officer Secretary Herminio Coloma, however, did not make any confirmation of the Wednesday submission.

He only said that what he is sure about is that the measure will be submitted to Congress before the president leaves for Europe on Sept. 13.

“The draft BBL is now undergoing final stages of refinement,” Coloma quoted Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles as saying.

“By the estimate of Moro Islamic Liberation Front panel and Bangsamoro Transition Commission chair Mohagher Iqbal, the draft bill is now 99.99 percent done,” Deles said in a statement, published in a report by the Philippine Star.

Deles also added in the same report that President Aquino has completed the draft two weeks ago.

“On the basis of the President’s comments, there were further discussion and exchange of notes between MILF and the Office of the President, the results of which were also submitted to the President,” she added.