More House members seek review of draft BBL

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – More members of the House of Representatives see the need to revisit and scrutinize some provisions of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat said the new Bangsamoro region could affect the power situation in Mindanao.

“Right now more and more congressmen are starting to realize that there are provisions in the Bangsamoro Basic Law that really need to be revisited and scrutinized,” he said.

The member of the House oversight committee said the Bangsamoro region’s control over the regulation of power generation has changed the views of many lawmakers.

“When I raise certain issues and I raise certain position it means to say we need to clarify any and all ambiguity as this law not only affects those inside the Bangsamoro, not only the entire Mindanao but the entire country,” he said.

The government peace panel and the Bangsamoro Transition Committee (BTC) have difficultly   answering many questions being asked in the committee hearing, he added.

Lobregat said many provisions in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and its annexes provide that the proposed law would be consistent with the agreement and all agreements signed have to be implemented.

“If and when Congress sees that a certain provision needs to be revised, needs to be deleted, some sections need to be added, will it be a take it or leave it position by the MILF that they don’t want a watered down BBL?” he said.

Lobregat said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel has to reconsider its apprehensions that the draft law would be watered down, he added.

“Nobody wants to water down anything, we just want to make sure that the provisions are consistent with the Constitution and existing laws and can stand legal scrutiny,” he said.

A provision in the proposed law provides that the inland waters would be used largely for the interest of the Bangsamoro region, Lobregat said.