Duterte urges Congress anew: expedite passage of BBL

President Rodrigo Duterte during his speech at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City on October 29, 2017 prior to his departure for a two-day visit to Japan. (JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Before heading to Japan for his official visit, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to push for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law on Sunday, October 29 adding that not acting on it may cause trouble in the country.

Speaking at a press conference after his departure speech at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport on Sunday afternoon, Duterte said he will urge Congress to expedite the approval of the BBL which will create the new political entity called the Bangsamoro that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The President reiterated his commitment to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) that he would grant them territories after a federal of government has been set-up.

Apart from these, Duterte also assured both the Moro revolutionary organizations, a governance framework fitted for the soon-to-be-established Bangsamoro entity.

“If we do not act on it expeditiously, I think that we are headed for a trouble,” said Duterte.

The chief executive, however, admitted that stakeholders of the BBL are “getting impatient” but he said he assured that the government will comply what was committed to the Moro people.

The President’s statement came amidst the postponement of the Bangsamoro Assembly scheduled in Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao province from November 3 to November 4.

In a statement on Sunday, Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chairman Ghazali Jaafar announced the postponement of the Bangsamoro Assembly due to reasons “beyond” their control.

The two-day event will be a gathering of all the stakeholders of the BBL that was finished by the BTC last June 6 and was turned over to Duterte during a ceremony in Malacanang on July 17.

Jaafar said they plan to hold the assembly on the third week of November.

“In the meantime, all the preparatory works of the Standing Committees will continue,” Jaafar said.

The BBL was certified as urgent bill by Duterte during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting held on September 20. (davaotoday.com)