By Maricel Cruz in Manila Standard Today

 

House leaders led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. see no urgency in the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law if the provisions in the final draft comply with the Constitution.

 

He admitted that the Palace’s delay in the submission of the draft BBL law would definitely affect the timetable of Congress for its passage.

 

“If they delay submitting, very likely that the House will not be able to act on it on time,” Belmonte told Manila Standard.

 

But he was quick to say that for as long as the Palace submits a legally and well-studied draft BBL law, then all Congress must do is to review and put it to a vote.

 

The BBL is among the priority measures of the House and it will be certified as urgent by the Palace to ensure passage into law by the first quarter of 2015 at the latest.

 

Thereafter, a plebiscite will be held in the areas that will constitute the Bangsamoro territory.

 

The issues on wealth-sharing and power-sharing are being fine-tuned due to possible legal questions.

 

Last week, the Palace said that submission of the BBL to Congress would be around the corner.

 

According to Belmonte, the BBL’s passage “shall establish a solid framework for genuine peace and enduring stability in Mindanao within the bounds of the Constitution” and serve as a legacy of Congress.

 

1-BAP party-list Rep. Silvetre Bello III, member of the House minority and former peace negotiator, expressed concern over the loss of time.

 

“I do not know what is taking them so long to review the draft basic law. They should endorse the draft bill to Congress without further delay,” he said.

 

Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman, chairman of the House committee on peace, reconciliation and unity, said he believed “we can still pass the BBL”.

 

Reps. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, Albee Benitez of Negros Occidental, Bolet Banal of Quezon City, Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of Dasmariñas and Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City said that Congress had ample time to debate on the BBL even if Palace has been delayed in submitting it.

 

Barzaga, chairman of the House committee on games and amusement, said “this is a priority measure I am certain the we can finish it before the year ends”.

 

Evardone said it was important “the draft law on Bangsamoro can withstand the constitutional tests. We have plenty of time to pass it”.

 

Benitez agreed, “There is no rush. What is important is we find a lasting solution for peace”.