House panel to invite former SC justices on BBL

MANILA, Philippines - Insights from former Supreme Court justices and other legal luminaries would be tapped to help a congressional ad hoc committee determine the constitutionality of certain controversial provisions in the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the 75-member House ad hoc committee on the BBL, said they have invited the legal experts – whose names have not been revealed yet – as discussions on some contentious legal issues continue. 

Rodriguez said discussions continue in Manila at the House of Representatives on Tuesday and Wednesday after marathon public hearings in Mindanao last week.

The panel conducted public hearings in Upi, Maguindanao; Cotabato City; Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat; Koronadal City; South Cotabato; and Gen. Santos City.

After the discussions in Manila, the committee will return to Mindanao for another round of public hearings.

“The hearings will now focus on the constitutionality of the BBL,” Rodriguez, president of the Centrist Democratic Party, said in a text message.

The draft BBL seeks to create a new and expanded autonomous region in Mindanao following the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last March 27.

Concerns have been raised that even if the House manages to pass the BBL with amendments, the law’s constitutionality is likely to be questioned before the Supreme Court.