The House of Representatives has approved the creation of a “super committee” that  would handle the expected exhaustive debates on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted by Malacanang to Congress last week.

The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which was submitted by President Benigno Aquino III to Congress last Sept. 10, aims to establish a new Bangsamoro political entity, provide for its basic structure of government and carve out a new Muslim autonomous region.

The House super committee stemmed from Resolution No. 1462 filed by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II. It will be headed by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. 

The House panels that will comprise the BBL super committee include those on local government, Mindanao affairs, national defense and security; and peace, reconciliation and unity.

The super committee’s primary  duties include: 1) exercising jurisdiction over all matters related to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro; 2) studying, deliberating and acting upon all measures referred to it, including bills, resolutions, and petitions; 3) recommending these measures for approval or adoption if these advance the interests of the people; 4) establishing systems and procedures to ensure that all affected sectors are heard; 5) conducting dialogues and consultations with stakeholders; 6) requiring studies, research and position papers; 7) requiring services of experts and professionals; 8) conducting hearings and inquiries in aid of legislation; and 9) preparing a report to the plenary.

The committee will have a total of 75 members, which will be a proportionate representation of the majority and minority, the resolution read.

The proposed Bangsamoro political entity under the draft BBL  will have a parliamentary form of government, with members elected by the people. These members will in turn elect a chief minister among themselves.

Under the draft BBL submitted by Malacanang, the Bangsamoro parliament shall have at least 60 members—half of which shall be elected through a system of proportional representation; 40 percent from single-member districts; and 10 percent will be elected to reserved seats, representing key sectors in the Bangsamoro. One of these reserved seats will be for women, while another  will represent  non-Moro indigenous communities and settle communities.   

The proposed Bangsamoro political entity is also envisioned to enjoy block grants, which means its appropriations will be automatically transmitted by the national government, much like the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA)  for local government units (LGUs).

Once the BBL is approved by Congress, it will be ratified through a plebiscite to be conducted in several identified areas, which include 1) the present geographical area of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM); 2) selected municipalities in Lanao del Norte and all other barangays in the municipalities of Kabacan, Carmen, Aleosan, Pigkawayan, Pikit and Midsayap that voted for inclusion in the ARMM during the 2001 plebiscite; the cities of Cotabato and Isabela; 3) and all other contiguous areas where there is a resolution of the LGU or a petition of at least 10 percent of the registered voters in the area asking for their inclusion in the Bangsamoro political entity at least two months prior to the conduct of the ratification of the BBL. 

After the ratification of the BBL through a plebiscite, the ARMM will be deemed abolished and a Bangsamoro Transition Authority will serve as the interim government until the election of the first set of Bangsamoro officials in 2016.