By Pathricia Ann V. Roxas, Philippine Daily Inquirer

The House of Representatives will once again ask President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to expedite the passage of the legislation before Congress goes into its sine die adjournment on June 1.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said this on Monday afternoon, after the lower chamber conducted a caucus to discuss disagreements on the BBL, among other issues.

“I would (ask the President to certify it as urgent), if that’s necessary,” Alvarez told the media in a press briefing after emerging from a three-hour all-member caucus of the House on the BBL.

The House Leader said he would likely be able to relay his request to the President to certify the measure as urgent within the day.

Alvarez said they have yet to approve any amendments on House Bill (HB) 6475, the Chamber’s version of BBL. Fariñas said they would consult the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) first, before proceeding with any changes in the bill.

What was tackled in today’s caucus, according to Alvarez, were proposals to resolve “objections” raised by several members of the House on the current draft of the proposed BBL that was approved last May 16 by the joint committees on local government, muslim affairs; and peace, reconciliation and unity.

However, Alvarez said they decided to defer agreement on the proposed amendments pending a dialogue with the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).

“Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will sit down with the BTC to look at the concerns raised and how we can address these issues. It’s important to involve them (BTC) so we could lessen disagreements when it reaches plenary debates,” Alvarez said.

“Bukas kakausapin namin from 9:00 a.m. until noon ang BTC leaders kung ano acceptable (We will talk to the BTC leaders tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. and until noon if the changes are acceptable),” Fariñas told reporters.

Though the House leaders refused to specify which provisions of the BBL garnered disagreements during the caucus, both were positive they would be able to pass the BBL on third and final reading before May 30.

“If we want it passed by May 30, the Speaker would request the President to certify the bill as urgent so we can approve it on second and third reading (on the same day) and then we could transmit it to the Senate. Then we can hold a bicam and if an agreement is reached, the President can sign it,” Fariñas said.

He added that a second caucus on the BBL might be conducted on Tuesday afternoon, depending on the outcome of the meeting with BTC officials.

Alvarez and Fariñas, together with Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr., chair of the committee on local government; Rep. Mauyag Papandayan Jr., chair of the muslim affairs committee; and Rep. Ruby Sahali, chair of the special committee on peace, unity and reconciliation, would meet with the BTC officials.

Earlier, President Duterte urged Congress to pass BBL by May 30 this year, saying the government is “racing against time” to enact the measure that could help keep peace in Mindanao amid threats of the spread of radical Islamic movement.