Senators Cool to Special Session for BBL

Manila, Philippines, MINA — The holding of a special session of Congress to tackle the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), much less approve it this year, is unlikely, Philstar reported, citing senators Tuesday.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said the committee on local governments, chaired by Sen. Sonny Angara, has yet to conduct hearings on the BBL.

“All I know is that we will have very busy days ahead. I will coordinate with the majority and minority on the BBL,” Pimentel told reporters.

Pimentel filed the BBL in the Senate last Nov. 6.

Even if the Senate holds a special session through Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, it is not possible to pass the BBL this year, according to Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III.

“Not even a special session can fast-track it to be passed into law this year. It contains 289 sections that hearings alone can take so much time. We need the Christmas break for our families,” Sotto said.

Has to undergo rigorous legislative scrutiny

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Congress could conduct committee hearings on BBL even without Duterte calling for a special session.

“Unless the intention is to pass the measure before yearend, which is impossible considering the complex and contentious issues involved in its provisions, a special session may not be necessary,” Lacson said.

Sen. Francis Escudero stressed it was Duterte’s prerogative to call a special session “anytime Congress is in recess.”

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said he fully supports the administration’s inclusive approach to building peace and prosperity in Muslim Mindanao.

However, the BBL still has to undergo rigorous legislative scrutiny, he said. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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