Leyte Solon Seeks Amendments on BBL

Tacloban City – House Deputy Speaker and Leyte Rep. Sergio A. F. Apostol has strongly recommended some amendments in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to make it constitutional before ratification by Congress.

Primarily, the senior solon wants to change the Preamble that tags the affected population as “Bangsamoro people” instead of “Filipino.”

Apostol also wants to repeal the creation of a separate Commission on Audit (COA), Philippine National Police and their own Department of Education.

“Another provision that needs amendment is regarding the territorial jurisdiction and more importantly the funding in which the amount requested for the budget is too big,” the Leyte solon said.

“If we approve the present constitution of the BBL it is no longer autonomy but being independent” he said.

Legislators will join an executive meeting on April 20 where amendments will be presented.

He urged government not to be frightened by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) claim to wage a war if the original BBL will be amended.

“We have been at war with them for so long, but it is better to have peace than war,” he added. “BBL should be amended and MILF has to agree.” (PNA) RMA/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR