Duterte to sign BBL before Sona in July

THE proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law will be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte into law before his third State of the Nation Address in July, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said Tuesday, May 29.

This was the agreement reached during the meeting between the President and Congress leaders Monday evening, May 28, Fariñas said.

He also said the President granted their request to certify both the Senate and House versions of the bill as urgent.

The certification will allow both the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass the BBL on second and third reading on the same day.

The target is to do this before Congress adjourns sine die on Wednesday, May 30.

A bicameral conference committee will then meet during the break to resolve the conflicting provisions.

The committee will target to submit its report for ratification in the morning of July 23. In the afternoon of the same day, the President is expected to sign the measure into law.

"The President did not impose anything on Congress, but granted our request to certify the BBL bill as urgent in order for the HOR and the Senate to pass their respective BBL bills on 2nd and 3rd Readings before we adjourn on Wednesday," Fariñas said.

"We will then have a Bicameral (BiCam) Conference Committee during the break, that will resolve conflicting provisions of our bills in collaboration with the Executive Department and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC)," he added.

Earlier in the day, Malacañang spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said there will likely be no certification of urgency since both houses of Congress committed to hastily iron out the conflicting provisions.

“Of course, we would like to see the BBL enacted before Congress goes into a recess on June [1]. But the promise really is that they will do everything that is humanly possible to pass [draft] BBL,” the Palace official said in a press conference in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

“The certification [of urgency] may not be necessary because in the first place, they have different versions. But the commitment is for both houses to pass it and to reconcile whatever versions they may have so that it can be enacted into law at the soonest time possible,” he added.

The draft BBL aims to abolish the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and create a new Bangsamoro political entity that will correct injustices against Bangsamoro people and eventually pave a way to end Moro rebellion.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said the awards were presented during the flag-raising ceremony at the AFP Canopy Area in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, which was spearheaded by AFP Chiefof-Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.

"This Monday morning’s flag-raising ceremony is made more special with the presence of our fellow soldiers, who have brought great honor and pride through their commendable service, not only to the organization, but to the whole nation as well,” Galvez said.

Awarded with the Gold Cross Medal were Major Ryedel Reynaldo Cabugon, 1st Lt. Brian Palencia, Pfc. Enrique Macinas and Pfc. Dondon Onsar, all from the Philippine Army (PA); Major Michael Rabina, Staff Sgt. Ronaldo Suarez, and Staff Sgt. Glenn Grafa all from the Philippine Air Force (PAF); and 1st Lt. George Galzote and 1st Lt. Jobert Jude, both from the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).

Decorated with the Silver Cross Medal was Lt. Col. Francis Julius Buyucan of the Philippine Marines.

The Meritorious Achievement Medal was presented to Col. Ferdinand Torres of the PAF, Col. Consolito Yecla, Col. Alex Rillera, Lt. Col. Edgardo Talaroc Jr., and Major Benjamin Cadiente Jr., all from the PA.

Meanwhile, Col. Raul Bautista of the PA received the Command Plaque while civilian employees at the AFP general headquarters, Emma Sicar, and Kyle Kristoffer Salongcay, were awarded the Chief of Staff Commendation Medal.

“Nothing gives me more fulfillment than to join our soldiers in celebrating their moments of triumphs, such as today. It brings me so much pride and joy to witness our men and women humbly accept the products of their selflessness, commitment, dedication and perseverance,” Galvez said.

Detoyato said majority of the awardees made significant contributions to the successful liberation of Marawi from the Maute terrorists last year, whether in combat or non-combat operations.

Other recipients performed outstandingly in policy development, contributing to the systems advancement of the organization.

“The sacrifices of the Filipino soldiers and civilian human resource are aplenty, and a simple recognition could mean so much to them. True to what they say, no one can defeat an inspired heart and soul,” Galvez added.