House asks Duterte to certify BBL as urgent

The leadership of the House of Representatives has asked President Rodrigo R. Duterte to certify as urgent the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to expedite its passage. (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — The leadership of the House of Representatives has asked President Rodrigo R. Duterte to certify as urgent the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to expedite its passage.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas made the formal request in a letter dated Wednesday, a copy of which was sent to House reporters on Thursday.

“We aim to pass the said measure on Third Reading before the Sine Die Adjournment of Congress on June 2, 2018. Thus, we are hoping for your usual support as we work for the prompt passage of this law,” the House leaders said in the letter.

The Senate had also requested the President to certify the BBL as urgent.

Once certified as urgent, the BBL can be passed by Congress on second and third reading on the same day.

Malacañang on Tuesday assured that Duterte will certify the bill as urgent “anytime soon.”

“The President promised to certify it,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

Authored by Alvarez, House Bill No. 6475 provides for the BBL and seeks the abolition of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The bill is based on the proposal submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission to Duterte.

It aims to establish a political entity, provide for its basic structure of government in recognition of the justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people and their aspiration to chart their political future through a democratic process that will secure their identity and posterity and allow for a meaningful self-governance.