Noy to press House anew next week on BBL

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino remains hopeful the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will be passed as he intends to make another pitch when he meets with members of the House of Representatives next week.

The Senate is set to reopen the investigation into the Mamasapano incident, which hampered the passage of the BBL.

The incident saw the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and some private armed group members killing 44 operatives of the police Special Action Force (SAF), which was on a mission to arrest two international terrorists.

Speaking to reporters after the inauguration of the 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Davao City yesterday, Aquino said he was informed by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the ad hoc committee on the BBL, that they are set to vote on the proposal after the “turno en contra” stage of deliberations at the plenary.

“There is still a good chance of having the BBL passed,” the President said, refusing to answer the question on what he would do in case the proposed measure would not be passed.

Aquino said the possibility of having the bill passed must not be ruled out, even as Congress only has a few session days left before the national campaign period starts on Feb. 9, stressing that moves to help the people of Mindanao had been continuing.

The President cited the Sajahatra Bangsamoro program that was providing skills to former MILF combatants to enable them to integrate into the mainstream economy. 

“They also have governance courses entered into by some members of the MILF (so they are ready) by the time that they’re given a mandate,” Aquino said.

The proposed BBL seeks to establish a Bangsamoro government that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. – With Edith Regalado