The House of Representatives vowed to immediately approve a resolution supporting the Transition Commission, which will draft the law creating Bangsamoro political entity.
House Deputy Majority Leader Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III assured government peace panel chairman Marivic Leonen that the Lower Congress will adopt the resolution before Christmas.
"I can foresee that we will pass this (resolution) before we go on Christmas break. It will even be passed faster than the FoI (Freedom of Information)," Tañada said.
Leonen emphasized the importance of adopting the solution within this year to solidify all branches of government's sincerity in pursuing peace talks with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) beyond the signing of preliminary agreement.
But Leonen clarified the resolution is separate from the actual bill that would eventually enable provisions in the framework agreement in establishing Bangsamoro entity should it be enacted into law.
Related story: Philippines, Muslim rebels sign peace pact
he former dean of University of the Philippines (UP)'s College of Law
noted both peace panels aim to file the bill in the 16th Congress next
year or immediately after Malacanang creates a Transition Commission.
President
Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is expected to issue an executive order
creating the commission which will be composed of seven government
representatives and eight Muslim leaders, all of whom are Bangsamoro.
In
a committee hearing on Monday morning, Leonen called on lawmakers for
continuous legislative support, which he emphasized is crucial for the
entire peace process.
Briefing the members of House Committees on
Muslim Affairs and Peace, Unity, and Reconciliation, Leonen said it
would be up to lawmakers to place framework agreement details.
Leonen
explained the broad strokes contained in framework agreement
signed on Monday aims to give freehand on congressmen and senators in
crafting Bangsamoro Basic Law.
“This will give space for the
Transition Commission to consult stakeholders, and for (both houses of)
Congress to deliberate on the proposal,” Leonen said.
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