Duterte wants special Congress session on BBL

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday bared his plan to urge Congress to hold a one-day “special session” to begin the discussions on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Duterte, during the First Bangsamoro Basic Assembly in Maguindanao Monday, November 27, sought the special session in Congress to allow stakeholders, including Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairperson Nur Misuari, to present their draft Moro law.

“My proposal is this: I will ask Congress, I said one day, (to hold) one session. Nur and all should be there to present their platform. Then, we will work out,” the President said in a keynote speech.

“If it is not in consonance with each other, then we work out. But at least, Congress and the Filipino people should be given a day to hear you out,” he added.

The draft BBL crafted by the 21-man Bangsamoro Transition Commission was submitted to Duterte last July 27 and transmitted to Congress in August.

Lawmakers, however, have yet to act on the proposed law.

The new version of BBL will serve as an enabling law of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro signed between the Aquino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014.

The first proposed measure for the Bangsamoro people was stalled during the 16th Congress following the conflicting provisions of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The proposed BBL under the Duterte administration seeks the creation of a new Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Duterte appealed to the Moro people not to “question” him, admitting that the passage of the Bangsamoro bill “entails delay.”

The President also noted that it would take time to come up with a final version of BBL since there are so “many drafts” presented by Misuari, MILF chairperson Al Hj Murad Ebrahim, and other involved parties.

Duterte said he wanted a law that is “inclusive” for all. He then assured that he would “walk a hundred miles” to come up with an arrangement that is acceptable for all.

“It must be inclusive. No one should be left behind in the conduct of the peace talks. The MILF, the MNLF, and Lumads should be included. If not, then let us work out a way. Let's give the arrangement that is acceptable to our Moro brothers and sisters,” he said.

“There must be one nation for all and one republic for all -- the Republic of the Philippines for all of us, Moro and Christians. That's what I can't give. Now, I'm doing everything to avoid a breakage or fissures in Mindanao,” he added. SunStar Philippines