(Eagle News) — The Senate has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent a bill that seeks to abolish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and provides for a Bangsamoro entity instead.
In a May 21 letter to the President, the Senate, through Senate President Tito Sotto and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, asked that the President issue such a certification on Senate Bill No. 1717.
According to the senators, who coursed their letter through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, their aim was to pass the measure on third reading before the sine die adjournment of the Senate on June 2.
“Thus, we are hoping for your usual support as we work for the prompt passage of the law,” they said.
Copies of the letter were sent to Secretary Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and Secretary Adelino Sitoy of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.
The Senate’s request came following Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s pronouncement the House may ask Duterte to certify their own version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
He, however, expressed confidence the measure would be passed by May 30.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has said the President would certify the measure as such “anytime soon.”