House panel to tap former SC justices on BBL

(Malacanang stock photo)

MANILA – Former Supreme Court justices will be tapped to help a congressional ad hoc committee in determining the constitutionality of certain provisions in the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

House ad hoc committee chairman, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said that other legal luminaries will also be invited in the discussions of the legal issues involving the BBL.

Following the marathon public hearings held in Mindanao last week, Rodriguez added that the talks will resume at the office of the House of Representatives in Manila on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Last week’s public hearings were conducted in Upi, Maguindanao; Cotabato City; Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat; Koronadal City; South Cotabato; and Gen. Santos City.

“The hearings will now focus on the constitutionality of the BBL,” Rodriguez said referring to the continuation of the discussion.

After the successful signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation, the BBL was drafted to create a new and expanded autonomous region in Mindanao.