Palace hopes for smooth passage of Bangsamoro Law in Congress

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

MANILA — Malacanang said on Sunday that the government panel and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are working together to make sure that the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be passed into law smoothly.

Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.

, told reporters in a press briefing over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan that both panel will utilize “appropriate language” to ensure compliance with the Constitution.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives will deliberate the BBL in their respective plenary sessions and will stipulate in the proposed law. During the sessions the language used and constitutionality is often debated.

“Sa ganitong paraan maiiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng mahabang panahon ng pagkuwestiyon sa Kongreso hinggil sa pagiging konstitusyonal ng mga nilalaman ng panukalang batas,” Coloma explained.

“Batid ng magkabilang panig na dadaan ang BBL o Bangsamoro Basic Law sa Kongreso kaya tinitiyak nila na ito ay hindi na mangangailangan ng pagbabago sa Konstitusyon para maging tuluy-tuloy ang pagdaloy ng prosesong ito na naaayon sa peace process roadmap,” he added.

Coloma noted that Senate President Franklin Drilon said they needed sufficient time to discuss the BBL in both House of Congress.

The Communications Secretary added the President Benigno Aquino III and MILF chairman Murad Ebrahim has both expressed their determination to have peace in Mindanao.

“Ito ang pinakamalinaw na pagpapahiwatig ng kagustuhang maipasa ang Bangsamoro Basic Law sa lalong madaling panahon,” said Coloma.

Last week, the President gave Congress the government’s priority list of proposed laws, the BBL is one of those bills.

In March 27, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was signed after the MILF and the Philippine government panel came up with an agreement.