Bicam drops anti-dynasty provision in Bangsamoro bill

(UPDATED) The Bangsamoro Transition Commission, some members of which belong to political families, has strongly opposed the ban on dynasties, saying it is a 'clear violation' of a person's right to vote and be voted

ANTI-DYNASTY. The bicameral conference committee deletes the anti-dynasty provision in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Photo from OPAPP

(UPDATED) – The joint panel finalizing the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law has deleted the measure's anti-dynasty provision.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and 3 other members of the bicameral conference committee confirmed this to Rappler on Monday, July 9, during the first day of closed-door deliberations.

The contingent of the bicam initially discussed the deletion without Drilon, who pushed for it during the Senate discussions. Members, however, decided to wait for Drilon before finalizing the removal.

Drilon later on arrived and reportedly did not oppose the majority’s decision, supposedly saying he would not defend the provision in the Senate bill, as it is “absolutely nothing” and lacks teeth. There is no counterpart line in House Bill 6475. (READ: Experts suggest compromise for Congress: Regulate, not ban, dynasties)

In a separate text message, Drilon said he did not argue for the adoption as a sign of protest and because the provision is "useless."

"The adoption of the supposed anti-dynasty provision in the Senate version was strongly opposed by some members of the panel. As a form of protest, I did not argue and push for its adoption anymore because the provision, as crafted, is useless. It is a much weaker provision than that provided in the SK law," Drilon said in a text message, referring to the Sangguniang Kabataan law.

"Such provision will not really curb dynastic behaviors. In fact, it is a hypocritical provision, toothless to address the ill effects of dynasties. We might as well do away with it. What we need is a strong regulation of dynasties applicable to all public officers. I already signed a committee report regulating it," Drilon added.

Section 15 of Senate Bill 1717 states that “no Party Representative should be related within the second (2nd) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to a District Representative or another Party Representative in the same Parliament.”

The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), some members of which belong to political families, has strongly opposed it.

In a previous Senate hearing, members of the BTC opposed the inclusion, saying it is another “experiment” in the region. They said it is a “clear violation of equal protection clause” or the right of every person to vote and be voted.

They questioned why it would only be implemented in the Bangsamoro when it is mandated in the 1987 Constitution.

Politicians, not constituents, want dynasties

But Ateneo School of Government Dean Ronald Mendoza had said there is a need for an anti-dynasty provision in the draft BBL or else the Bangsamoro state would be another failure just like the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which it seeks to replace.

Citing data, Mendoza earlier said 3 of the 5 poorest provinces in the country come from ARMM, and they have a high share of “fat dynasties” or political families whose members are in several elective positions all at the same time. These are Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Sulu.


Mendoza said the opposition to a dynasty ban does not come from the public but from politicians that would be directly affected.

“The people there can no longer challenge leaders because they have captured everything. Your education, healthcare, job – they're leaving everything up to traditional politics, political clans. So the people would not speak out and say they are against fat dynasty. We cannot expect them to fight. We must fight for them,” he said in mix of English and Filipino during a Senate hearing in February.

It is not the first time that such a provision would be introduced in a law, however. Republic Act 10742, or the Sangguniang Kabataan reform law, prohibits relatives of government officials up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for the youth councils.

Bicam removes ‘anti-dynasty’ provision in BBL proposal

The bicameral conference committee has removed the "anti-dynasty" provision in the final version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Two members of the panel — Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Francis Escudero — confirmed the development on Monday, the first day of the bicameral conference committee meeting for the BBL proposal.

The anti-dynasty provision was stated in Article VII, Section 15 of Senate Bill 1717, the upper chamber's version of the BBL proposal.

It reads: "No Party Representative should be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to a District Representative or another Party Representative in the same Parliament."

The House's version of the bill, however, has no such provision.

In a text message to reporters, Drilon said the adoption of the said provision in the Senate's bill was "strongly opposed" by some members.

He, however, did not argue and pushed for its adoption as a form of "protest," believing that it is "useless."

"It is a much weaker provision than that provided in the SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) Law. Such provision will not really curb dynastic behaviors," Drilon said.

"In fact, it is a hypocritical provision, toothless to address the ill effects of dynasties. We might as well do away with it," he said.

For his part, Escudero said the provision only applies to party-list representatives and not to other members of parliament or other officials of the Bangsamoro.

"It is, therefore, selective, discriminatory and ineffective per the bicam," he added.

Instead of an anti-policy provision, Drilon suggested for a strong regulation of political dynasties that is applicable to all public officials.

"I already signed a committee report regulating it," he said.

Once the bicameral conference committee reconciles the varying provisions of the versions of the two chambers, the Senate and the House will separately ratify the measure on the opening of the Third Regular Session on July 23.

The final version of the measure will then be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for signing later that day, in time for his third State of the Nation Address.

Duterte to sign Bangsamoro bill into law during SONA, Congress leaders say

THE proposed Bangsamoro Basic law (BBL) — a measure that abolishes the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and replaces it with Bangsamoro Region – is constitutional and will be signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte during his third State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 23, members of Congress said on Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte at the House of Representatives made the announcement on the first day of discussions of the bicameral conference committee on the BBL.

“In performing our duties, we should be guided with constitutionality. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land [and]sets both the latitude and delimitations of what we can incorporate in the BBL,” Zubiri said in his opening statement.

“We have to be guided by the Constitution because anything we do here will surely be questioned,” Fariñas said.

The proposed BBL provides that a duly-elected Bangsamoro Parliament will govern the Bangsamoro Region.

Under the 1987 Constitution, autonomous regions should be created in Muslim Mindanao and in the Cordilleras “consisting of provinces, cities, municipalities, and geographical areas sharing common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures, and other relevant characteristics within the framework of this Constitution and the national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines.”

Likewise, the 1987 Charter provides that the President will maintain general supervision over autonomous regions “to ensure that laws are faithfully executed”.

Fariñas called on his colleagues to pass the BBL in time for President Dutere’s third SONA.

“If we can come up with an acceptable version for both panels, we will present this to our respective chambers for ratification when we resume our Third Regular Session on July 23 so that the President can sign it into law in the afternoon of the same day,” Fariñas said. LLANESCA T. PANTI

Zubiri admits impediments in Congress on BBL proposal

By Vanne Elaine Terrazola

Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has admitted that there are certain impediments on the Congress’ discussion of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

He said this as the Congress bicameral conference committee started deliberating on the conflicting provisions of the Senate and House versions of the proposed BBL Monday.

In an interview at the sidelines of the closed-door bicam meeting in a Pasig hotel, Zubiri, chair of the Senate panel, said they are setting aside controversial provisions in the meantime to be able to finish the priority measure within the week so that President Duterte can sign it into law on July 23.

As of Monday afternoon, the bicam has finished discussing three articles of the Senate Bill No. 1717 and House Bill No. 6475, according to Zubiri.

The senator said they are looking to finish the bicam meeting on Wednesday.

Controversial provision

Zubiri said they deferred discussion on the territories of the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region as concerns were raised over the differing provisions of the two chamber’s bills.

The Senate majority leader said members of the House bicameral panel warned that the Upper Chamber’s proposal to include the 39 barangays (villages) of North Cotabato and six municipalities of Lanao del Norte in the proposed Bangsamoro territory would be “unconstitutional.”

SB 1717 added the North Cotabato villages and Lanao del Norte municipalities in the proposed Bangsamoro region without the permission, through a plebiscite, of their mother province. HB 6475 did not have such a provision.

The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) which submitted the draft BBL is supposedly favoring the House’s provision over the Senate’s in the subject. Zubiri, however, said the Senate contingent can defend its constitutionality.

Aside from the core territories of the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the two Congress houses would also have to debate on their differences in their proposed territorial waters.

Power-sharing

Zubiri said the Senate panel will stick to its guns on clearly defining the powers of the proposed Bangsamoro government.

“We should only be discussing powers granted to the Bangsamoro government. Because in the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) law, Republic Act 9054, it is also very clear [the] powers of the ARMM government. The powers of the national government are not defined there,” Zubiri said.

The House of Representatives approved the BTC proposal defining the reserved powers of the national government, the exclusive powers of the Bangsamoro government, and the concurrent powers of the two governments. The Senate removed such provisions in their approved bill.

“Our lawyers in the [Senate] panel feel that we should not define clearly the powers of national government because there would be confusion. Does that mean that what is not there can be interpreted as allowed to be done by the ARMM government? That would be difficult. Under our Constitution, powers that are not defined there is reserved to central government,” Zubiri explained.

He added that defining powers of the government “would also pose a constitutional challenge.”

Zubiri, on the other hand, assured the BTC that it can propose additional powers for the Bangsamoro government especially if these were granted already by the RA 9054.

Tax-sharing, block grant

While lawmakers disagreed on certain provisions, Zubiri reported that they are united in maintaining the contents of the ARMM law.

Zubiri said they agreed in a caucus before the bicameral meeting that they will retain the provisions of the RA 9054 in the proposed BBL so that it would not be “diminished” from the current ARMM.

Particularly, they will restore the 75-25 percent sharing between the Bangsamoro government and central government on the taxes collected from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Senators approved a 50-50 sharing, while the House granted the BTC proposal of a 75-25 sharing.

“We should not diminish in any effect provisions of the ARMM law. These are already clearly indicated in the original ARMM law and we’re willing to restore in this version,” Zubiri said.

“We will accept the House version. The Senate panel will tend to accept the House version,” Zubiri said.

Apart from the wealth-sharing, Zubiri said the bicam has allowed the unconditional release of the block grant for the Bangsamoro region.

While the two houses agreed on a five-percent annual block grant, the Senate proposed a qualification on the block grant stating that when the national government incurs an unmanageable public sector deficit, the President of the Philippines is authorized, upon the recommendation of the Department of Finance and Department of Budget and Management, to adjust or suspend the block grant. The House version did not contain such a condition.

The BTC, Zubiri said, wanted to remove the conditions.

“We agreed that we should not impede the release of the block grant. Because there have been certain amendments that state that the block grant is subject to review and therefore before it is automatically appropriated it is reviewed. The problem there is, who reviews? If COA (Commission on Audit) reviews, we all know that COA takes several years before they actually come up with a finding. So, this wil actually impede the release of the block grant,” Zubiri said.

Zubiri assured to maintain the accountability and transparency measures in the proposed BBL.

BBL bicam to OK 75-25 Bangsamoro, central gov’t wealth sharing

Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri says the Bangsamoro Transition Commission has disagreed with the Senate proposal to decrease the current wealth-sharing terms to 50-50

BICAM. Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri (R) and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon (L) during the bicam meeting on the BBL on July 9, 2018. Photo courtesy of OPAPP

Lawmakers are expected to increase the share in government tax revenues of the Bangsamoro region by 5% under the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

This was disclosed by bicameral conference committee chairperson and Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri to reporters around two hours after their meeting on the BBL started on Monday, July 9. (READ: Final version of BBL must pass ‘test of constitutionality,’ say bicam members)

Currently, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) – which the new and more powerful Bangsamoro region will replace under the BBL – gets 70% of the collections of a province or city from national internal revenue, fees, and charges as well as taxes imposed on natural resources. Under Republic Act 9054 or the ARMM Law, the remaining 30% goes to the national government.

But the Senate version of the proposed BBL decreased this wealth-sharing terms to 50-50, while the House modified it to 75-25.

Zubiri said the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) disagreed with the Senate proposal because this would mean the Bangsamoro would receive less funds compared to the ARMM. (READ: Final version of BBL holds fate of Mindanao peace process)

“We'll accept the House version. The House version is 75-25. The Senate panel will tend to accept the House version,” said Zubiri.

The senator said the bicam has so far agreed the proposed BBL must “retain and enhance” the rights and benefits currently being granted to residents of the ARMM.

“We've reached consensus that whatever was in the ARMM Law, Republic Act 9054, we will retain and hopefully enhance. So, in other words, we do not want an ARMM minus. What we want is an ARMM plus,” said Zubiri.

Apart from the modified wealth-sharing terms, the bicam is also set to retain the territorial waters and in-land bodies of water that are already part of the region under RA 9054.

Zubiri said senators had agreed to remove a provision in the Senate version that would impede the release of the 5% block grant to the Bangsamoro region.

“What we want to happen here is continue the accountability and transparency measures that we've placed but without the stumbling blocks to the automatic release of the block grant,” said Zubiri.

BTC chairperson and Moro Islamic Liberation vice chairperson Front Ghazali Jaafar said they would only accept a version of the BBL that will not reduce any of the benefits the ARMM already enjoys.

“I don’t think people in the ground can accept at this point in time a BBL that is watered down,” he said.

Bicameral version of BBL likely to pass constitutional scrutiny

By Ben Rosario

Leaders of the bicameral conference committee on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law are confident that President Rodrigo Duterte will sign during his upcoming State of the Nation Address a law that will pass constitutional scrutiny.

This developed as Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chairman Ghazali B. Jaafar warned Monday that a watered down version of the proposed law should be expected to be rejected when it is presented to voters during a plebiscite.

Members of the Senate and House of Representatives sing the Philippine National Anthem during the bicameral conference for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, July 9, 2018. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)

Jaafar stated that a watered down “BBL” is a law that falls short of what the law creating the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao already provides.

House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas, head of the House contingent, said the bicameral panel will have to be “guided by the Constitution” as it refines the House and Senate version of the measure.

On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri aired confidence that the bill will pass a Supreme Court review on constitutionality.
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Of the 18 conferees sent to the bicameral panel, only six represent non-Mindanao congressional districts. They are Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Pampanga Rep. Rimpy Bondoc; Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr., Asst. Minority Leader and ABS Partylist Rep. Eugene Michael De Vera; Reps. Rodolfo Albano (NPC, Isabela); Romeo Acop (NP, Antipolo City) and Farinas.

The Senate sent a ten-man team headed by Zubiri.

“Hopefully, the agreement is if we come up and do away all the disagreements provisions and doubtful versions acceptable to both panels… we will present it to our chambers for ratification when we open the third regular session on July 23,” said Fariñas.

The House official said that if both houses of Congress agreed and ratified the version that will be decided during the bicam, they will submit it to President Duterte on the afternoon of that same day when the chief executive delivers his third SONA.

He noted that the BBL version of the House conformed with the proposals of the BTC and are constitutional.

“We have to be guided by the Constitution. We will have to ensure anything that we do here will be compliant with the Constitution,” said Farinas.

He said that the final version of the BBL should “past the test of constitutionality” since some groups will surely question the proposed measure before the Supreme Court (SC) once Duterte signs it into law.

As of press time Monday, the bicameral panel already reached an agreement on the first four provisions that included the Preamble and the territory, according to Lanao del Sur Rep. Mauyag Papandayan Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Affairs.

In an interview, Jaafar said a watered down version of the measure is what Mindanao Muslims want Congress to avoid.

Jaafar, vice chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said a rejection of the law when presented for ratification should be expected if the measure fails to satisfy the expectations of an enhanced ARMM law version.

He disclosed that the MILF already has “several options” to pursue should the BLL fail.

“There are several options but I cannot say as of today what option to use. I can categorically assure you the best way to resolve the issue is through peace process, which is most civilized move,” Jaafar said. (Ben R. Rosario)

Senate, House meet to iron out proposed BBL

Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday began joint deliberations to iron out the differences in their respective versions of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Heading the panels for the bicameral conference committee were Senator Juan Miguel ""Migz" Zubiri and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, both majority leaders for each chamber.

Both lawmakers emphasized that they have to be guided by the Constitution in addressing contentious provisions of the proposed law creating the Bangsamoro political entity.

"The constitution, being the supreme law of the land, sets both the latitude and the delimitations of what we can incorporate in this basic law," said Zubiri.

"It is our task to see to it that whatever we agree and come up here will have to pass the test of constitutionality," stressed Fariñas.

Bicameral Conference Committee meets today on the proposed BBL pic.twitter.com/DT1c1MFjai

— RG Cruz ABS-CBN News (@1rgcruz) July 9, 2018

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III is confident the two panels will be able to come up with a consensus on the BBL provisions as they plan to ratify it when session resume in July 23.

This will be in time for President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address later that day.

"My advice to the chairman of the Bicam, who is Senator Zubiri, i-tackle nila agad 'yung maaaring constitutional issues. As far as the issues are concerned, tingin ko 2-3 isyu lang ang matagal, di kaya ng isang araw," said Sotto.

Passing the BBL is among the requirements under the peace deal between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the government under former President Benigno Aquino III in 2014.

The BBL failed to pass under Aquino due to public outrage over the 44 police commandos in a botched anti-terrorism operation in the remote town of Mamasapano in January 2015.

The MILF hopes lawmakers would come up with a draft Bangsamoro Law that is close to the version proposed by the designated transition commission.

Final version of BBL must pass ‘test of constitutionality,’ say bicam members

Lawmakers forming the bicameral conference committee on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) gave assurances Monday, July 9, they would produce a final version that is constitutional.

Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri and House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said this on Monday, July 9, at the start of their week-long bicam meetings on the BBL. (READ: Difficult work ahead to reconcile Senate, House versions of BBL)

“We will have to ensure that anything that we do and everything that we do will be compliant to the Constitution because, surely, this will be challenged. So it is our task to see to it that whatever we will agree [on] and come up here will have to pass the test of constitutionality,” said Fariñas.

Zubiri, who also chairs the bicameral conference committee on the BBL, gave the same sentiments: “In performing our duties, let the following be our guideposts: Constitutionality – the Constitution being the supreme law of the land sets both the latitude and delimitations of what we can incorporate in this basic law,” said Zubiri.

The senator said the bicam would also “give the widest latitude” in reconciling the House and Senate versions of the BBL “within the limits set by the Constitution and other laws.”

Zubiri said the bicam must also ensure the finalized version of the BBL would be acceptable to the Bangsamoro people and help bring about peace and development in the region. (READ: Final version of BBL holds fate of Mindanao peace process)

“This law must correct the injustices and prejudices against our Muslim brethren. It must accord them equal respect and opportunity in order to advance in life,” he said.

Questions have been raised against the possible constitutional violations of the BBL, including its proposed parliamentary system, implementation of Shariah laws, and giving cities and provinces sharing a common border with the Bangsamoro to join the plebiscite, among others.

The House and Senate already removed several provisions in the BBL version first crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. But the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and other stakeholders want these provisions retained.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III suggested the constitutional issues must be tackled first during the bicam. The other contentious and controversials provisions can be treshed out later in the week.

“Basta importante, ’yong mga constitutional issues, ma-resolve. Sapagkat ’yon ’yong kinakabahan tayo na baka pumasa man sa amin, i-ratify man namin, i-question sa Supreme Court, nabaril. Mahirap naman,” he said.

(What’s important is for the constitutional issues to be resolved. That’s the part we are nervous about, because even if the bill gets our approval and we ratify it, the Supreme Court may shoot it down. That’s a problem.)

The bicam is being held closed-doors at the Grand Ballroom A of Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. Reporters were briefly allowed to enter the hall to listen to the opening statements on Monday.

Bicam meet for BBL

By Francis Wakefield

The bicameral conference for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) began Monday as lawmakers work to reconcile the Senate and House versions of the law at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.

Nine Senators and 18 members of the House of Representatives compose the bicameral conference committee that will resolve the varying provisions of the House Bill 6475 and Senate Bill 1717.

Presidential peace adviser Jesus G. Dureza and deputy presidential peace adviser Nabil Tan are also present in the meeting.

In a statement, Guiamel Alim, chairperson of Bangsamoro Civil Society, said enacting a BBL that “addresses the root causes of the conflict and provides for meaningful autonomy is not only good for the Bangsamoro, it is also an opportunity for the Philippine government to show that it is able to address violent conflicts, such as that in Mindanao, through diplomatic means.”

Meanwhile, BTC Commissioner Maisara Damdamun-Latiph called on the lawmakers to strengthen the BBL on the following components:

• Fiscal autonomy by removing the conditions in the block grant, making it at par with the IRA of LGUs;
• Proper allocation of powers in accordance with CAB and not less than ARMM;
• Stronger policing in relation to normalization and decommissioning;
• Inland waters like Lake Lanao in relation to preservation, conservation, power generation, and regulation; and
• Territory on the plebiscite of 6 municipalities of Lanao del Sur and 39 barangays of North Cotabato in accordance with CAB, and;
• Bangsamoro identity.

The BBL was aggressively pushed by the previous Aquino administration, but its plethora of unconstitutional provisions coupled by the unfortunate January 2015 Mamasapano, Maguindanao siege doomed its passage.

To make the BBL successful, Dureza earlier challenged the Moro people to take an active role in the peace-building process.

Congressional leaders have earlier said the BBL is expected to be signed into law by President Duterte in time for his third SONA.

Bicam body starts work on harmonizing BBL provisions

The bicameral conference committee tasked to harmonize conflicting and controversial provisions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) vowed to keep an eye on the constitutionality issues of the BBL as it begun its deliberations on Monday with an “upbeat” and hopeful spirit.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, in an interview with reporters, said they were planning to zero in on easier provisions first before tackling the controversial provisions of the BBL.

“Napag-agreehan naman na ‘yung mga madaling provisions eh tanggapin na para makadaan na ‘run. I-table muna yung mga controversial o ‘yung mga issues na medyo makakapagpatagal ng usapin. On my part, my advice to the chair of the bicam, who is Senator (Juan Miguel) Zubiri, ay i-tackle agad ‘yung mga maaaring maging constitutional issues,” Sotto said.

The Senate leader specifically mentioned the opt-in provision of the BBL as one of the controversial provisions of the legislation.

“Everyone is upbeat. I hope in the next few days we would be able to satisfy the perspective and the sentiments of everyone,” he added.

Zubiri, for his part, said that with the weight on their shoulders, and the gravity of their tasks ahead, the 29 lawmakers from Senate and House of Representative should remember that “the Constitution, being the supreme law of the land, sets both the latitude and delimitations of what we can incorporate in this Basic Law.”

“Within the limits set by the Constitution and other laws, we will give the widest latitude in reconciling the two versions of the bill to achieve self-governance and real autonomy in the Bangsamoro,” Zubiri said during his opening speech.

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas meanwhile appealed to his colleagues to also be guided by the Constitution because the BBL would “surely be challenged.”

“I appeal to everybody that we work hand in hand. As senator Migz stated, we have to be guided by the Constitution. We have to make sure that everything that we do here will be compliant with the Constitution because surely this will be challenged,” Fariñas said.

“It is our task that whatever we agreed here will have to pass the test of constitutionality,” he added.

The committee will conduct its meetings from Monday, July 9, to Friday, July 13, at Crowne Plaza on Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City.

Both chambers of Congress aim to ratify the harmonized version of the BBL on the morning of July 23, and subsequently submit it to President Rodrigo Duterte in the afternoon for signing, in time for his third State of the Nation Address. /cbb