MANILA, Philippines — The leadership of the House of Representatives has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law to speed up the passage of the measure which seeks to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas made the request in a letter to the chief executive dated Wednesday.
“We aim to pass the said measure on third reading before the sine die adjournment of Congress on June 2, 2018, Thus, we are hoping for your usual support as we work for the prompt passage of this law,” they wrote.
A bill that has been certified urgent by the president does not need to undergo the three-day layover rule between its passage on second reading and third reading.
The lower chamber has yet to pass House Bill 6475 before the end of the month.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday also requested Duterte to certify as urgent the Senate Bill 1717.
Malacañang on Tuesday said Duterte is set to certify the measure urgent “anytime soon.”
“The president promised to certify it. I cannot absolutely guarantee that the version of the House will be certified because I haven’t seen the text. But if it is in conformity with what was agreed upon, then there should be no problem. The president should certify it,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.
READ: Senate leaders ask Duterte to certify BBL as urgent