Noy makes pitch for BBL, but no quorum at House

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino made a desperate appeal yesterday to members of the House of Representatives to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), warning of the possible resurgence of Islamic extremism in the country if the proposal, which creates a new autonomous region in Mindanao is not approved.

For 20 minutes, Aquino spoke before 150 House members over lunch at the Heroes’ Hall in Malacañang, saying the opportunity to pass the landmark BBL may not come again, lawmakers who attended the meeting said.

But the House failed to muster a quorum enough to resume the plenary debates on the BBL yesterday. After the roll call, only 134 of the 287-member chamber were listed as present, prompting the leadership to adjourn the session. At least 150 members are needed to constitute a quorum.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, BBL principal author, said the House might not be able to approve the proposal as the body only has days left before it adjourns on Dec. 18.

“I think we are fast running out of time for its approval. It is unlikely that we will be able to do it in the remaining four session days of Congress before the Christmas break next weekend,” Rodriguez added.

In a statement after the meeting, Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino called on the House to “seize the historic opportunity” of enacting the BBL and laying the foundations for long-term peace.

“He (Aquino) said that passing the BBL now has become more imperative in view of the increased threats posed by global terrorism and radicalization. The President urged the members of Congress to rise to the challenge of being able to ‘change the narrative,’ referring to the cycle of violence and poverty that has stalled peace and progress in Mindanao,” Coloma noted.

He added that Aquino “in his talks with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy as well as Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, was asked about how the Philippine government has succeeded in achieving an agreement with the Bangsamoro.”

Coloma said it was at these instances that Aquino pointed to the BBL as providing a template for peace building that may be considered by the international community.

Among those present during the two-hour meeting were Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.; Deputy Speakers Henedina Abad, Giorgidi Aggabao, Pangalian Balindong, Carlos Padilla and Roberto Puno; Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales Jr. and Rodriguez, chairman of the ad hoc panel on the BBL.

“The President said in this world that’s full of strife, we must act swiftly to achieve peace. He said we must give peace a chance in Mindanao as this opportunity might not come again,” Belmonte told reporters.

Belmonte also spoke during the meeting and warned the terror attacks abroad could reach the country if the passage of the BBL is stalled.

“He (Aquino) told us that he asks himself every time he looks at the mirror, he asks himself whether he has done everything he could to have BBL passed,” Gonzales said in a separate interview.

Gonzales said Aquino cited the apprehension of Moro Islamic Liberation Force (MILF) leaders that they would lose credibility before the younger MILF members if they will not be able to see the enactment of the BBL into law.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said Aquino pointed out that he only has 205 days left in office and that he will do what he thinks is best for the country. Aquino also reportedly cited the deadly Paris attacks staged by the Islamic State and warned the same thing could happen in the country.

Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano III, a member of the opposition bloc, said Aquino pointed out that the Philippines could set an example before the international community in enacting the measure into law.

‘No time, warm bodies’

Aquino also joked that those lined up to interpellate on the floor should just limit their questions or remove their names from the list of interpellators.

There was one taker: A Teacher party-list Rep. Juliet Cortuna, who said she would no longer interpellate on the BBL.

Gonzales said there are 18 to 21 House members still listed for interpellation, adding that achieving a quorum is one thing and maintaining it through out the session is another.

“(Achieving quorum) on the floor is a feel thing. It’s not that we’ll ram its (BBL) approval but if the interpellators are absent, then it’s possible,” he said when asked when the voting could come. – With Jess Diaz, Perseus Echeminada, Jose Rodel Clapano, Aurea Calica