By Charissa Luci, Manila Bulletin

 

Malacanang is counting on the House leadership to ensure a quorum and make the legislative mill grinding for the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which is expected to be passed by Congress this December.

 

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said they never doubted that under the leadership of Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr., the Lower Chamber will be able to approve the peace measure.

 

“We are in close coordination with congress and we are confident that  they will always think of the welfare of the country,” he told reporters yesterday after the House Committee on Appropriations’ deliberations on the proposed  P1.131 billion budget of the Philippine Communications Operation Office (PCOO) for 2016.

 

When asked if there is a need for President Aquino to call on his allies to show up during plenary sessions, Coloma said, “Buo at ganap ang aming tiwala sa liderato ni Speaker Belmonte (We have full trust and confidence in Speaker Belmonte’s leadership).

 

It was recalled during the 15th Congress, President Aquino met with his congressional allies so that the Reproductive Health (RH) bill and sin tax bill would be finally be put to a vote.

 

HB 5811, which  substitutes HB 4994 or An Act Providing Basic Law for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR) is still pending with the plenary as more lawmakers are expected to interpolate on the controversial bill.

 

Belmonte continued to appeal to colleagues to religiously attend the plenary sessions to ensure the passage of significant measures, including the BBL.

 

“I urge our members to attend the regular Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday sessions, and if we are able to tackle the agenda significantly, then we might forego the Thursday-Friday sessions. Please attend our sessions,  roll will be called,” he said.

 

He vowed that under his watch, he would ensure that the BBL would be put to a vote, as he remains hopeful that the peace measure can be passed on third and final reading by end of September 2015 before Congress goes on break on October 9 to make way for the filing of certificate of candidacy for 2016 elections.