President Aquino is willing to hold a dialogue with senators to thresh out concerns on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in the wake of a possible clash between the Senate version and the allegedly constitutionally infirm measure approved by the House of Representatives.
But ahead of the proposed meeting with the senators, the President defended the constitutionality of the draft BBL as he expressed openness to certain amendments to the measure.
“Naintindihan natin maraming pagkakataon para makatawag ng pansin lalo na’t napipintong eleksyon ay darating na sa susunod na taon. Pero isang mahinahon na diskusyunan at pakikipag-uganayan, pagsuri nila dito sa BBL e palagay ko makikita nilang it will withstand the test of constitutionality [We understand that there are many chances to draw attention especially since elections are coming up next year. But only after a calm discussion and deliberation on the BBL, I think they will see that it will withstand the test of constitutionality],” the President said in a media interview during a visit in Marikina City.
The President made the remarks after Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago warned that the draft BBL could not be approved in its present form due to some constitutional issues. Santiago, chair of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, has argued that Charter change is needed to accommodate the current draft of the BBL.
In light of Santiago’s argument against the BBL, the President said he would wait for Senate President Franklin Drilon’s position on the proposed dialogue between him and the senators. Aquino said he does not want to be accused of meddling with the affairs of an independent co-equal branch of government.
MANILA BULLETIN
