These are the major features of the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) or the Bangsamoro Organic Law approved by the bicameral conference committee on July 18, according to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

 The congressional bicameral conference committee on Wednesday night approved the final version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which was renamed as the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

 

The bicameral panel, under the leadership of House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, was able to reconcile conflicting provisions of the landmark measure after six days of marathon hearings.

 

The BBL is expected to be ratified by both chambers on Monday, July 23, during the opening of the third regular session at 10 a.m., and be signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on or before his third State of the Nation Address at 4 p.m.

 

Zubiri noted that the approval of the reconciled version is one year after the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) submitted to the President the draft BBL.

 

Fariñas said while it was noteworthy that previous administrations tried to attain peace in Mindanao through peace agreements, those never came into fruition.

 

Fariñas, however, said the Duterte administration was able to reach this achievement in one year.

 

Anak Mindanao Partylist Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan said the final form of the BBL will provide Moros "something better than the status quo that is the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao."

 

"We do not say that the BBL is the solution, but we had hopes that this will be one of the most important instruments to begin pursuing our long aspirations of just and lasting peace," Sangcopan said.

 

The measure seeks to create a new Bangsamoro political entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

 

A copy of the reconciled version has not been released to the media. By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

 

We are currently looking for a full-time Project Training Expert for the project DELACSE Bangsamoro Phase 2.

Proponents of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) are ready to defend its constitutionality, in case any legal question may be lodged before the Supreme Court, according to officials involved in the crafting of the legislative measure.

The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), a Mindanao-based policy center that promotes meaningful autonomy as a solution to the Mindanao conflict, has reviewed H.B. 6475 and S.B. 1717 passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. The approved bills will now be subjected to bicameral proceedings to reconcile their conflicting provisions.

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