The House of Representatives is expected to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) ahead of the Philippine Senate.  The proposal is expected to face rough sailing in the Senate.  The Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revisions of Laws has released a report critical of the constitutionality of the fundamental principles, mechanisms and processes in the proposed BBL.  The Chair of the Local Government Committee (the lead committee for the BBL in the Senate) in a privilege speech announced that his Committee is coming out with a substitute bill and considering the complex issues in the BBL, the Senate will need more time before it can vote on the bill. 

It appears that the most optimistic scenario in the Senate is passing a Basic Law for the Bangsamoro in October this year.  A bicameral conference committee will then be convened to reconcile the conflicting provisions of the House and the Senate versions.

June to October is a critical period for the BBL in the Senate.  The seven (7) academic and non-partisan roundtable sessions on Muslim Mindanao autonomy seek to inform and promote greater understanding of the history, context, challenges, opportunities and options on autonomy in the committee and plenary debates and in the bicameral conference.

The Institute for Autonomy and Governance is organizing the discussions in partnership with the Senate Economic Planning Office (SEPO), Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF) and the Senate-Muslim Advocates for Peace and Progress.

All discussions will be held at the Senate of the Philippines Committee Room 1, GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. SEPO will come up with a series of policy reports from these roundtables. You may request a copy on facebook.com/iag.org.ph or twitter.com/IAGorgph or email Ram Toledo, our communications staff, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Keep posted on these events by following IAG on Twitter @IAGorgph and Dean Benedicto Bacani, our executive director, @bbacani.