WHILE everybody who’s pro-Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is jubilant about the passage on Wednesday, May 20, of an amended version of the bill which is now called the draft “Basic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region,” there’s a looming scenario on the measure in the Senate.
Immediately after the substitute version of the bill was passed by the House Ad Hoc Committee, Senate Defensor Santiago’s opinion was sought.
Again, consistent with her previous statements, the “resident constitutionalists” in the Senate declared that, as stated in the draft BBL committee report that she authored as chair of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, both Houses of Congress cannot approve the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law in its present form because no less than an amendment to the Constitution is needed to effect changes in constitutional provisions relative to local autonomy.
“The BBL has much merit, but its promulgation requires constitutional amendment or revision; mere legislation will not suffice, and will spark Supreme Court litigation,” she said.
“The committee on constitutional amendments appreciates the brilliant efforts of the hardworking men and women who put the BBL together.
“However, in its present state, the BBL raises many insidious doubts on constitutionality,” she added.
Senator Alan Cayetano on Monday reiterated his staunch opposition to the BBL as written.
“Peace will never come out because of a piece of paper.
“It might even be complicated.
“Even if there is a written law, if it will not bring real and lasting peace,” he said.
Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., chair of the Committee on Local Government that’s also tackling the BBL, told the public also on Monday to “stop talking about deadlines for BBL passage.”
“The more we study it the more complicated it turns out.
“We need time to do it properly.
“So I think it is time to stop talking about deadlines, it is time to stop talking about rushing the legislative process on something so complicated, so complex, so noble and so important,” he added.
By the looks of it, it’s going to be rough sailing for the BBL in the Senate. BEEN THERE DONE THAT/JOSEPHINE JARON-CODILLA
