The Senate Committee on Local Government, chaired by Senator Bongbong Marcos, together with the Committees on Peace Unification and Reconcillation; and Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, will contiunue its inquiry on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Also present during the BBL hearing is Senator Chiz Escudero. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon said Tuesday he has yet to decide whether there is a need for President Benigno Aquino III to meet with senators regarding the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
In a radio interview, Drilon said he will consult first with his colleagues, especially Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., chairman of the local government committee, regarding the matter.
“Atin pong pagpapasiyahan iyan at kokonsulta po muna ako sa aking mga kasamahan, lalo na sa Committee on Local Government sa Senado, kay Senator Bongbong, kung ano ang kanilang feeling. Maisusumite na ba ang committee report sa Senado?” he said.
He believes he can make a decision before the weekends.
“Tingnan po natin. Masyado pong maaga para po ako ay magpasya diyan. Ito pong llinggo na ito ay siguro we can make a decision,” he said.
Aquino said Monday that he will wait for Drilon’s advice if he still needs to meet senators to explain the importance of immediately passing the BBL.
Marcos, meanwhile, welcomed a potential dialogue with Aquino on the controversial measure but expressed doubt if he will be included there.
“Mabuti ‘yun, at para naman masabi namin sa kanya kung ano ang nakikita naming problema. Pero baka doon sa mga senador na nabanggit nya, hindi ko lang malaman kung ako ay kasama doon sa grupong ‘yun,” he told reporters.
In the same radio interview, Drilon stressed the necessity of passing the BBL before the sine die adjournment of Congress on June 10.
“Mayroon po tayong self-imposed deadline dahilan sa importante na matapos natin ito sa Hunyo dahil huwag natin kalimutan na ‘pag Oktubre ay filing na po ng certificates of candidacy sa buong 2016 elections,” he said.
“Kaya dapat po ay mapagpasyahan na kung ano ang i-mistula ng pamahalaan sa ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao], otherwise the old law will apply. So we cannot lose by default. We must work on this bill,” he added. (MNS)