ADVERTISEMENTIqbal, a member of the BTC, was hopeful that Mr. Duterte would keep his promise of a “homeland” for the Bangsamoro people in Mindanao in three years’ time. The BBL defines the basic structure of the proposed Bangsamoro autonomous state in Mindanao, a key feature of the federal form of government being pushed by Mr. Duterte and his allies. Pimentel said he was told by a BTC member that “this version is less constitutionally objectionable” than the first draft. The previous Congress failed to pass the first proposed BBL under the Aquino administration in the wake of the fallout from the Mamasapano massacre in early 2015. In a speech in Iligan City last month, Mr. Duterte promised to push the passage of the new BBL.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 11, 2017 23:24 UTC