THE House of Representatives’ joint committees on local government and on Muslim affairs and the Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity have rushed the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
This, after its members adopted Monday the version of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez which calls for the creation of the Bangsamoro Transition Committee.
A lawmaker who requested anonymity said the three panels voted 2-1 to carry the omnibus motion of deputy speaker and Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema that called for the approval of Alvarez’s House Bill 6475.
“The omnibus motion of Deputy Speaker Sema was approved and carried,” said the lawmaker who voted in the executive session.
He added the joint panel would resume meeting on May 15, when Congress resumes session, to approve the committee report for BBL’s deliberation by the chamber in plenary session.
The joint panel approved the version of the BBL which pushes for the retention of the central government’s power and control over defense and external security, thus rejecting the working draft of BBL version which was the product of nationwide consultations.
The lawmaker said members of the House committee on Muslim affairs and special committee on peace, reconciliation and unity carried the motion of Sema while the House committee on local government rejected it.
The source said former president-turned Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo decided to withdraw her BBL’s version.
This developed as Anak Mindanao Party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan said “it is high time to uphold and pay respect to the previous peace negotiations and signed peace agreements.