The original schedule was for the committee to vote last May 11 and 12, with the plenary debates on the proposed BBL to begin on May 18.

But the committee chairman—Cagayan De Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez—said  the panel would have to consolidate the numerous amendments proposed by congressmen, so that voting, which would be done “section by section” of the proposed law, could start by May 18 and possibly extend to May 19 and 20.

According to reports, at least 12 lawmakers have submitted amendments to 60 provisions of the proposed BBL. 

Rodriguez had said that the panel would remove eight perceived unconstitutional provisions, which could not be remedied by merely rewording them.

These unconstitutional provisions  include giving the Bangsamoro government powers reserved for constitutional offices such as the Office of the Ombudsman and the section that requires the President to coordinate military operations with the chief minister of the Bangsamoro region.

Other provisions perceived  as unconstitutional  by lawmakers  empowers the chief minister to have control and supervision over police forces in the region; and authorizes the conduct of a plebiscite in any territory contiguous to the Bangsamoro region where 10 percent of residents want to join the autonomous regional government.

Despite the delay, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is confident that the timeline to approve the BBL before the Congress adjourns on June 11, 2015 would be met.

“I think I’m reasonably certain that we have the numbers, but more than that, really we should be voting on a bill that has been properly reported out. We ourselves may not be in full agreement with his (Rodriguez) report but still that can be the working basis for our votation,” Belmonte said.