Draft Bangsamoro law '99.99% done' - Deles

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is expected to submit the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to Congress this week for its passage, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said.

Deles said in a statement Tuesday that the draft BBL "is now undergoing final stages of refinement" after the presidential review was completed two weeks ago.

She explained that the notes made by President Aquino prompted the Moro Islamic Liberation Front panel, the Bangsamoro Transition Committee (BTC) and the Office of the President to further discuss about the proposed law.

"The draft BBL is now undergoing final stages of refinement. By the estimate of MILF panel and BTC chair Mohagher Iqbal, the draft bill is now 99.99-percent done," Deles said. "It is expected to be submitted to Congress before the President leaves for Europe next week."

The BBL, which will serve as the guiding policy of the new Bangsamoro region, was a result of the 17 years of peace negotiations between the Government Peace Panel and the MILF. The talked led to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro, or CAB, in March to end the conflict in the region.

The transmission of the BBL to Congress was delayed last August due to questions by the legal team of President Aquino.

A marathon review of the proposed law followed in Davao City.