House leaders worried over delay in submission of Bangsamoro Law

MANILA, Philippines - Leaders of the House of Representatives are worried over the delay in the submission of the proposed Bangsamoro basic law to Congress.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. expressed hope that the government and Moro Islamic Liberation  Front panels could resolve their differences over Malacañang’s review of the proposed law before Congress resumes session on July 28.

“Their failure to agree on the final version of the proposed Bangsamoro draft law is a source of concern that they should address with dispatch,” he said. “They have to transmit to us the proposed law.”

Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, leader of the independent bloc, warned that the longer Malacañang waits before submitting the draft law, the greater the chances that the government would break its timetable to enact it by yearend or early 2015.

Malacañang must not rush lawmakers into immediately approving the proposed law, he added.

Romualdez said other lawmakers agree with him that Malacañang is doing a great disservice to the peace process because it has promised the Bangsamoro that Congress will pass the proposed law as soon as possible.

“If there will be delays in the passage of the proposal, then they heap the blame on congressmen for delaying the peace process,” he said.

He was puzzled that after the comprehensive agreement was signed with the MILF as witnessed by the international community, President Aquino still wanted it reviewed, Romualdez said.

Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman, chairman of the committee on peace, reconciliation and unity, said the House has enough time to deliberate on the proposed law if the administration submits it by August. “There’s still time,” he said. “I think Malacañang is just doing the spade work for us.”