Lack of quorum has bogged down deliberations on the BBL at the House of Representatives.
“The only time a quorum was achieved since sessions resumed in July was when the chamber tackled the proposed Salary Standardization Law,” the letter noted.
“Are these honorable members of the House of Representatives exempt from from basic government policy on reporting for duty? What is the policy for their absences? Can they still claim compensation even if they are absent from work?” asked the groups.
They also said “the fate of the BBL is no better at the Senate with debates moving at turtle speed. For instance, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile has been debating Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. for days on the definition of the term Bangsamoro and its implication to the various faiths in the autonomous region.”
“Marcos, moreover, is also guilty of not always being present during BBL deliberation days,” they added.
According to the complaint letter, the problem, or the lawmakers for that matter, seemed to be telling the Filipino people that “[we] are above the law” as they continue to turn the “legislative branch into a state of paralysis”.
Signatories to the letter include: United Youth for Peace and Development, Inc.; Moro Women Development and Cultural Center; Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initatives; The Bangsamoro Center for Just Peace; Mindanao Humanitarian Development Initiatives; Kadtabanga Foundation, Inc.; RKCSED, Inc.;
Reconciliatory Initiatives for Development Opportunities, Inc.; Basilan Ulama Supreme Council; Ranao Institute for Peace and Development, Inc.; Basulta Contact Group, Inc.; Maguindanao Development Foundation, Inc.; Lupah Sug Advocates for Peace and Development; Local Initiatives for Peace and Development, Inc.
Noorus Salam Central Mindanao; Mindanao People’s Caucus; Matawkasi, Inc.; Al-Amanah Humanitarian and Development Initiatives; Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initiatives, Inc.; Ittihadun-Nisa Foundation; Bangsamoro Business Club; and Action for Advancement and Development of Mindanao.
