Zubiri says Senate can approve BBL this May

April 3, 2018

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which is in the period of interpellation in the Upper House, would be approved in May.

Zubiri, chairman of the Senate local government subcommittee on the BBL, said his new timeline on the bill, based on its current progress, would see its approval on third and final reading by May 23.

Congress is on break and would resume its sessions on May 15. The sessions would then be held until May 30 when the second regular session of Congress adjourns sine die.

If Duterte certifies the BBL as urgent, then the Senate can proceed to approve the bill on third reading  after its approval on second reading.

“So I appeal to my colleagues the need to focus on the BBL as peace is needed in our part of the country. The BBL is the final push that is needed for that elusive peace,” Zubiri said.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III dated April 2, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary Adelino Sitoy relayed the directive of Duterte to him to “urge Congress to hasten the passage of the Bangsamoro bill so it can be ready for his signature” before the sine die adjournment. DMS