House inaction on LBM aka BBL laudable

SOME say we have a do-nothing Congress, especially a House of Representatives that often fails to muster a quorum. Well, this is one time where the inaction of the House is very commendable. I’m referring to its enlightened failure to pass the proposed Law on the Bangsa Moro (LBM), also known as Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), before it adjourned its second regular session sine die.

The decision of the House to defer the plenary debates on the LBM to the Third Regular Session will give its members more time to weigh the arguments of those who inveigh against the measure. They could consider the suggestion of Sen. Bongbong Marcos, chairman of the House Committee on Local Governments, to consider the measure as an amendment to the Organic Act of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. They could have more time to reflect on the powers to be given to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to the exclusion of other sectors in the region, and the influence of Malaysia over the region should the proposed LBM be approved as is.