Rappler's latest stories on Basic Law
China warns it won't tolerate dissent in Hong Kong
China also plans to step up patriotic education in Hong Kong as a way to curb youth-led protests

Hong Kong court declares male gay sex laws unconstitutional
It is the latest legal victory for Hong Kong's gay community who have struggled to persuade the pro-Beijing authorities in the international financial hub to allow gay marriage or civil unions

Where do 2019 senatorial bets stand on key national issues?
When the senatorial campaigns kick off, check the candidates' claims against this list of issues that have so far made headlines in 2018

SWS says Filipinos 'neutral' on proposed Bangsamoro law
The Social Weather Stations survey also shows that Filipinos tend to believe the proposed Bangsamoro law will help bring peace in Mindanao

Bicam OKs final Bangsamoro bill for Duterte signature
(3rd UPDATE) President Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign the proposed Bangsamoro Organic Law ahead of his 3rd State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 23

BBL proves self-governance possible without federalism – Drilon
Senator Franklin Drilon says the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law is an example of how the 1987 Constitution 'allows the alleged benefits of federalism to be done by legislation'

Plebiscite, preamble, PH laws among last issues at Bangsamoro bicam
(UPDATED) Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri misses his target to finalize the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law on Tuesday, July 17, because of issues raised by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission

Bicam OKs joint powers for Bangsamoro, DOE on energy sources
Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri says the bicameral conference committee on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law decided to adopt the Senate version on the matter

BBL's hot issue: Who gets to control rich Sulu Sea, Moro Gulf?
It's a deadlock at the bicameral conference committee

Bicam approves creation of Shari'ah High Court in Bangsamoro
Under the proposed Bangsamoro justice system, Shari'ah or Islamic law would only be applicable to Muslims. But non-Muslims may volunteer to submit to the jurisdiction of Shari'ah courts.

Bicam draft 'not a watered-down BBL,' says BTC chair Jaafar
Bangsamoro Transition Commission chair Ghazali Jaafar says they understand President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to endorse the provision requiring the approval of the mother units before areas in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato can join the Bangsamoro

Duterte ends BBL impasse: Mother LGUs' vote needed for inclusion in Bangsamoro
(2nd UPDATE) The 6 towns of Lanao del Norte and 39 North Cotabato barangays will have to get the support of their province and municipalities, respectively, before they can join, contrary to what the Bangsamoro Transition Commission wants

Lanao del Norte's Dimaporo ready to question an unconstitutional BBL
'We're all adults here. If I don't get what I want and I feel that this is unconstitutional, I'll challenge it in the Supreme Court, period,' says Lanao del Norte 1st District Representative Khalid Dimaporo

#ThewRap: Things you need to know, July 11, 2018
Hello! Here's a roundup of news you need to know this Wednesday.

How heightened emotions, stress define bicam on proposed BBL
(UPDATED) Tensions flare as lawmakers finalize the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. It is expected to continue, especially as they try to break the impasse on the most crucial issues of territory and plebiscite.

Bicam to seek Duterte help to solve Bangsamoro plebiscite deadlock
(UPDATED) The panel is set to go to Malacañang on Wednesday, July 11, as the House and Senate contingent could not agree on how to finalize the plebiscite in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

Bicam OKs freedom of religion in proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law
'We need to be mindful of the fact that people are harassed or subjected to violence because of their choice of beliefs in certain areas of the country,' says Senator Joel Villanueva, proponent of the clause promoting religious freedom in the region

Bicam adopts Senate provision vs Bangsamoro firearms purchase
(UPDATED) 'What if 30 years down the line...there’s a new brand of leadership that goes into the Bangsamoro and they’re radicalized...and they want to do some foolishness and they will buy firearms, tanks, and airplanes with the funds?' asks Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri

Lawmakers' fear of territorial loss delays final BBL scope, plebiscite
'I understand the positions of district congressmen because it's a loss of territory for them and medyo mabigat 'yan and malalim….Diyan medyo madugo,' says Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, co-chair of the bicameral conference committee

The push for indigenous people's provisions in BBL
If the BBL is a template for federalism, the more we need to articulate indigenous people's rights in it because IPs are not only found in the Bangsamoro core area but scattered throughout the country

Bicam makes release of funds easier for Bangsamoro
The Bangsamoro would no longer be required to specify plans before getting its share of the national internal revenue, but the bicameral conference committee says measures remain in place to ensure proper spending

Why Drilon didn't push for anti-dynasty in BBL bicam
'As a form of protest, I did not argue and push for its adoption anymore because the provision, as crafted, is useless,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, proponent of the anti-political dynasty provision

Bangsamoro territory in Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato still up for debate
(UPDATED) Lawmakers anticipate difficult discussions on how these areas would be included in the Bangsamoro region

Bicam drops anti-dynasty provision in Bangsamoro bill
(2nd UPDATE) The Bangsamoro Transition Commission, some members of which belong to political families, has strongly opposed the ban on dynasties, saying it is a 'clear violation' of a person's right to vote and be voted

BBL bicam OKs 75-25 Bangsamoro, central gov’t wealth sharing
(UPDATED) Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri says the Bangsamoro Transition Commission has disagreed with the Senate proposal to decrease the current wealth-sharing terms to 50-50

Final version of BBL must pass ‘test of constitutionality,’ say bicam members
Senate President Vicente Sotto III says the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law's constitutional issues must be resolved to avoid a scenario where the Supreme Court will later deem it unconstitutional

Bicam to reconcile conflicting provisions of Bangsamoro Basic Law
The work is cut out for the lawmakers forming the bicameral conference committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, with its House and Senate versions proposing conflicting amendments

BBL compliant with peace deal ‘only course’ to achieving peace – groups
As Congress is set to decide on a final version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in July, civil groups from Marawi City and Lanao del Sur urge lawmakers to restore deleted provisions that would create a 'strong' Bangsamoro state

Congress 'absolutely needs' to clarify BBL will not grant secession – Carpio
'If there is even a shadow of doubt, then the right to self-determination can be interpreted in the light of the long history of secessionist movements,' says Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio
Duterte hopes for Nur Misuari's input in BBL
"'Pag hindi naman tayo nagka-aregluhan, eh ako nasa gitna, mahirapan ako, sino'ng barilin ko?' asks President Rodrigo Duterte

On Eid'l Fitr, senators hope BBL will become law
The lawmakers believe the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is pending at the bicameral conference committee level in Congress, will bring peace in Mindanao

Final version of BBL holds fate of Mindanao peace process
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front seeks to restore deleted provisions in the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which implements a peace deal with the government

Difficult work ahead to reconcile Senate, House versions of BBL
The ban on political dynasties, the powers given to officials, and the tax scheme in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law are only some of the contentious proposals that both chambers of Congress need to iron out

ARMM Governor says final BBL should comply with peace deal
The Senate and the House of Representatives versions of the BBL bill water down the powers of the proposed new Bangsamoro region

Zubiri: Senate's BBL version complies with Constitution
The MILF is expected to push hard to restore key provisions that were removed or revised by both chambers

AFP chief welcomes BBL passage as 'antidote to terrorism'
The new Bangsamoro region will make way for 'more cooperative management' between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, says Armed Forces chief General Carlito Galvez Jr

Tulfo brothers, Bangsamoro Basic Law, Dua Lipa in Manila | Evening wRap
Watch Rappler's evening newscast with Bea Cupin

Duterte on BBL: No separate Bangsamoro police, military
Malacañang says it's up to Congress to ensure every provision in the Bangsamoro Basic Law is constitutional

Bangsamoro Basic Law, China note verbale, Trump and Kim Kardashian | Midday wRap
Watch Rappler's midday newscast with Marguerite de Leon

#ThewRap: Things you need to know, May 31, 2018
Hello! Here are the stories you shouldn't miss this Thursday.
Bicam members: Who will finalize the Bangsamoro law?
28 senators and representatives are chosen to reconcile conflicting provisions in the bills separately passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives

Congress approves proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law
The Senate version is way different from the original proposal of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. The battleground shifts to the bicameral conference committee, which will be convened during the break.

House approves proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law
(UPDATED) District representatives replace House Bill No. 6475 with a substitute bill containing the amendments they want to introduce in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law

Senate dissects Bangsamoro’s fiscal autonomy on last day of session
Minority Leader Franklin Drilon says the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law should be able to stand Supreme Court review, citing the failure of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, which was declared unconstitutional

#ThewRap: Things you need to know, May 30, 2018
Hello! Here's a roundup of news you need to know this Wednesday.

Mindanao lawmakers: 'A vote for Bangsamoro is a vote for Filipinos'
(UPDATED) The sponsors of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law at the House urge their colleagues to remember the historical injustices suffered by the Bangsamoro people – injustices the BBL would help resolve

Duterte certifies BBL as urgent, LTFRB on Grab, COA on OGCC | Evening wRap
Watch Rappler's evening newscast with Marguerite de Leon

Duterte certifies BBL as urgent a day before Congress adjourns
(UPDATED) Congress is set to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law on Wednesday, May 30, so the bill becomes a law before President Rodrigo Duterte's 3rd State of the Nation Address in July

Will Duterte certify BBL as urgent? Roque, Dureza give different statements
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque says the certification is unlikely because the Bangsamoro Basic Law versions of the House and the Senate are different. But Peace Process Adviser Jesus Dureza says the President promised to certify the bills as urgent.

#ThewRap: Things you need to know, May 29, 2018
Hello! Here are the stories you shouldn't miss this Tuesday.
