Senate, House resume hearing on draft Bangsamoro law

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate will give priority to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and several bills aimed at improving the business climate when it resumes session today, Senate President Franklin Drilon said yesterday.

The 75-member special committee of the House of Representatives will also resume its hearings on the proposed legislation.

Representatives of three factions of the Moro National Liberal Front (MNLF) led by Nur Misuari, Abul Khayr Alonto and Muslimin Sema and of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were invited to the hearing chaired by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

“We want to get the views of all stakeholders, including armed groups,” Rodriguez said.

Also invited were incumbent and former Mindanao officials, including Bukidnon Gov. Jose Zubiri Jr. and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, former senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., former presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza, former Misamis Oriental lawmaker Homobono Adaza and Cagayan de Oro City Mayors Vicente Emano and Reuben Canoy.

More than 60 other incumbent governors and city mayors were invited in another hearing on Wednesday.

MNLF rejects invitation

Habib Mudjahab Hashim, chairman of the MNLF’s Islamic Command Council, said they could not attend the House hearing in view of their pending petition against the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro.

 “Even Brother Nur, he will not be sending any representative from his group,” he said.

“The existence of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is by virtue of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement and the 1996 Final Peace Agreement. The dissolution of the ARMM will mean the dissolution of the  two agreements,” Hashim added. – Jess Diaz,  Marvin Sy, Roel Pareño, Jose Rodel Clapano