House fails to ratify Bangsamoro bill; Palace dismayed

MANILA. The House of Representatives formally opens its third regular session on July 23, 2018. (Keith Calayag/SunStar Philippines)
MANILA. The House of Representatives formally opens its third regular session on July 23, 2018. (Keith Calayag/SunStar Philippines)

THE House of Representatives adjourned its session on Monday, July 23, without ratifying the proposed Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

The House was expected to ratify the bicameral conference committee report on the BOL before the President delivers his State of the Nation Address (Sona) at 4 p.m. Monday.

The session was adjourned following the motion of Deputy Majority Leader and Pampanga Rep. Juan Pablo "Rimpy" Bondoc.

Bondoc's motion was carried despite the objection of Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr.

Malacañang expressed dismay over the House's failure to ratify the bill. This means that President Rodrigo Duterte would not be able to sign the measure in time for his

Sona as promised.

"We find it unfortunate that the Bangsamoro Organic Law was not ratified before the adjournment of today's session of the House of Representatives," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a statement.

"We consider this as a temporary setback in the administration’s goal of laying the foundation for a more genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao," he added.

The Senate ratified the proposed law hours ahead of Duterte's address to the nation.

Roque said the Palace was still optimistic that Duterte will soon sign the draft Bangsamoro Organic Law, which will establish the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which will have wider authority over the predominantly Muslim areas in the south.

"We, however, remain confident that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will sign the Bangsamoro Organic Law as soon as both houses of Congress finally ratify the bill," the Palace official said.

The proposed Bangsamoro Law seeks to heal the historical injustices suffered by the Moro people.

The bill is the political track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed in 2015 between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country's largest Muslim rebel group.

Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin said the House suspended the session to give time for the political parties to discuss the proposed change in leadership in the lower chamber.

It was earlier reported that there are brewing talks to oust House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and declare former Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo as House Speaker.

"There are talks, discussions about declaring the post of Speaker vacant. There were discussions [among] different political parties. The party-list coalition also had their meetings," Villarin said.

"Ang nangyari kasi diyan nagkaron ng suspension supposedly [for] various groups to discuss their stand or position. Mukha namang walang naarive na compromise or solution to the impasse so siguro it's the call of the speaker to have it adjourned," he further said.

There was an all-party caucus held at 10 a.m. Monday to discuss the change of leadership in the House of Representatives but it was attended by only less than 80 congressmen.

"The talks about the move to declare the post of the Speaker vacant became kumbaga naging pronounced when we resumed session this 10 a.m.," said Villarin.

Villarin said the 292-member House is divided on the issue as to whether or not they will replace the current leadership.

"There was a call to have some sort of discussion. When nobody is on top and

Speaker Alvarez is not budging with regards to that position so talagang hati ngayon," he said.

Villarin believes that the threat to oust the House speaker is serious.

"If it was abruptly adjourned, its really serious. Hindi ka naman magaadjourn without tackling the order of business," he said.

Mindroro Rep. Reynaldo Umali for his part believes that the reported ouster plot is not the reason for the adjournment.

"You know para sa akin kung talagang meron ganung strong move, we will wait for another day. If I know speaker or if i know Majority (Rodolfo Fariñas) they would rather face it head on [para hindi] masakripisyo yung mga pinaghirapan nila," Umali said.

He continued: "Can you imagine until 11 in the evening kagabi they were in Edsa Shangrila trying to finish that (BOL) so I don't think they will do that just to make room for another day for the speaker."

Alvarez remains mum on the issue.

According to news reports it was Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio that pushes for the ouster of Alvarez. The lady mayor earlier said the country will be better if Alvarez is not the House speaker.

Duterte-Carpio's criticisms against Alvarez stemmed from Alvarez statement alleging that Sara and her father were not in good terms as she had formed the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago. The mayor denied this and said that the creation of political party has his father's blessing. (SunStar Philippines)

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