The House of Representatives is expected to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) ahead of the Philippine Senate.  The proposal is expected to face rough sailing in the Senate.  The Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revisions of Laws has released a report critical of the constitutionality of the fundamental principles, mechanisms and processes in the proposed BBL.  The Chair of the Local Government Committee (the lead committee for the BBL in the Senate) in a privilege speech announced that his Committee is coming out with a substitute bill and considering the complex issues in the BBL, the Senate will need more time before it can vote on the bill. 

 

It appears that the most optimistic scenario in the Senate is passing a Basic Law for the Bangsamoro in October this year.  A bicameral conference committee will then be convened to reconcile the conflicting provisions of the House and the Senate versions.

 

June to October is a critical period for the BBL in the Senate.  The seven (7) academic and non-partisan roundtable sessions on Muslim Mindanao autonomy seek to inform and promote greater understanding of the history, context, challenges, opportunities and options on autonomy in the committee and plenary debates and in the bicameral conference.

 

The Institute for Autonomy and Governance is organizing the discussions in partnership with the Senate Economic Planning Office (SEPO), Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF) and the Senate-Muslim Advocates for Peace and Progress.

 

All discussions will be held at the Senate of the Philippines Committee Room 1, GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. SEPO will come up with a series of policy reports from these roundtables. You may request a copy on facebook.com/iag.org.ph or twitter.com/IAGorgph or email Ram Toledo, our communications staff, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Keep posted on these events by following IAG on Twitter @IAGorgph and Dean Benedicto Bacani, our executive director, @bbacani.

 

1. Evolving Frameworks of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy: Intergovernmental and Power Relations between the National and Regional Government

June 18, 2015

 

2. Opt in and Opt out: History, Context and Issues on Territory/Areas of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy

July 6, 2015

 

3. Dividing the Pie: Context and History of Fiscal Autonomy and Control of Natural Resources in Muslim Mindanao

July 13, 2015

 

4. Power Relations in Muslim Mindanao Autonomy: Parliamentary System and Role of LGUs

July 20, 2015

 

5. Indigenous Peoples in the Proposed Bangsamoro: Challenges and Opportunities in Securing their Rights and Welfare

August 5, 2015 (schedule has been updated from August 3 to August 5)

 

6. Transition Mechanisms and Timelines on the Proposed Bangsamoro: Perils and Opportunities

August 17, 2015

 

7. Normalization in the CAB and Proposed BBL: Trajectories and Convergences

September 1, 2015

 

About the Organizers

 

Institute for Autonomy and Governance

 

A homegrown policy center based in Cotabato City, the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) specializes in the study of autonomy and good governance as a solution to the Mindanao conflict. IAG has helped raised the bar of regional and local public policymaking even as it maintains sensitivity to the complexities and peculiarities of local settings earning the trust and respect of a broad range of stakeholders. It convenes and facilitates conferences and roundtable discussions involving diverse groups toward building consensus on political, economic and security issues confronting the autonomous region. 

 

Local Government Development Foundation

 

The Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF) is a Manila-based development organization whose primary aim is to strengthen local authorities and promote local governance in the country hence the axiom “good governance is local governance”. With its primary objective of promoting local governance in the country, LOGODEF has been active in various interdependent activities of capacity building, research and development, as well as advocacy and lobbying.

 

Senate Economic Planning Office

 

The Senate Economic Planning Office (SEPO), created through Senate Resolution No. 56, is tasked to provide the Senate President and the Members of the Senate with proper research and in-depth policy analysis on economic and social issues as well as data and statistics which would assist various committees in the discharge of all matters within their jurisdiction, including information with respect to economic plans and programs, domestic and foreign indebtedness, and the promotion, regulation and diversification of economic sectors and sub sectors.

 

Senate-Muslim Advocates for Peace and Progress

 

The Senate-Muslim Advocates for Peace and Progress (Senate-MAPP) is an association of Muslim employees coming from both the Senate secretariat and the offices of the senators. Founded in 2013, the group works for and supports legislative proposals and activities that further the cause and aspirations of the Muslims in the Philippines.