Palace receives revised draft of Bangsamoro Basic Law

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) submitted to Malacañang Wednesday night the revised draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The MILF’s website, www.luwaran.com, said the draft BBL was handed over by MILF’s chief negotiator, Muhaquer Iqbal, to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. at about 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The draft BBL, once enacted into law by Congress and ratified via a plebiscite in Moro-dominated areas, will pave the way for the replacement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a new MILF-led Bangsamoro political entity.

The government and MILF’s peace panels have agreed to meet again for the finalization of the draft BBL’s contents after its review by the President, according to luwaran.com.

Malacañang will endorse the proposed law to Congress after a review by President Benigno Aquino III.

President Aquino had earlier assured to certify the BBL as an urgent bill to hasten its enactment into law by Congress.

Government and MILF negotiators held a series of meetings in Malaysia and in Davao City the past weeks to resolve misunderstandings on contentious provisions of the original BBL draft prepared by members of the BTC.