Rep. Rodriguez remains hopeful HB 5811 hurdles plenary debates

QUEZON CITY - Cagayan Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, principal sponsor of House Bill 5811 or the draft Bangsamoro basic law, now called Basic Law for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BLBAR), remains hopeful that the bill will be approved next week.Four session days are left before Congress adjourns sine die on June 11 but Rodriguez said the remaining days will be crucial for the passage of his bill.In a press statement, Rodriguez said he was told that some of those who listed up to interpellate have decided to withdraw questioning to fast track the plenary deliberation. Some of those in the list because of answers we had – they were clarified, so some may not be proceeding with their interpellations,” Rodriguez said.The Cagayan solon said ifthe number of lawmakers asking questions is reduced then the bill has higher chances of getting House approval.As of Thursday evening, only 29 solons were to ask questions but Zamboanga Rep. Celso Lobregat was not yet done with his interpellation.Among those in the list of interpellators belonged to the ruling coalition who expressed they will pull out of the list after some of their inquiries have been answered in earlier debates.With less number of interpellators, Rodriguez said a higher chance is in the air for the passage of his draft bill.Quorum was among the thorns that HB 5811 need to hurdle.The draft law is the final phase of the government peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after both signed the Framework AGreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).Once enacted into law, it will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).