A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019. In addition, a second plebiscite on February 6, 2019, determined that further municipalities in North Cotabato would join the new autonomous region. Voters decided against the inclusion of additional municipalities in Lanao del Norte.^[1]

^[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.

A plebiscite ratified the Bangsamoro Basic Law on January 21, 2019. In addition, a second plebiscite on February 6, 2019, determined that further municipalities in North Cotabato would join the new autonomous region. Voters decided against the inclusion of additional municipalities in Lanao del Norte.^[1]

^[1] “Fifth public report,” Third Party Monitoring Team, March 11, 2019.

The BBL was signed into law by President Duterte on July 26, 2018.^[1] The signed law defined the territorial and maritime jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, conditional on a successful plebiscite.^[2] The law also allowed for additional municipalities and wards (barangays) to join the Autonomous Region if the voters approved of joining in the plebiscite.^[3]

[1] “President signs Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Country Reports, July 30, 2018.

[2] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article IV and XV.

[3] “Republic Act No. 11054,” Article XV, Section 3.

In 2017, the BBL was not passed by Congress.

Congress adjourned in early February, 2016 without approving the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).^[1] The BBL was not passed in 2016.

[1] “Philippine leader to talk shelved Bangsamoro law at ASEAN,” Anadolu Agency, February 15, 2016.

Discussions on the Bangsamoro Basic Law initially stalled after clashes with the MILF and government police forces on January 25.^[1] In 2015, Congress deliberated changes to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) but failed to pass the law in 2015.

^[1] “Philippines suspends autonomy discussions after rebels kill policemen,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, January 26, 2015.

The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro stipulates the conditions for a plebiscite to incorporate contiguous territories into the Bangsamoro. The Bangsamoro Basic Law drafted in 2014 includes language providing for a plebiscite to determine the territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro.^[1]

 

The Bangsamoro Basic Law draft provides for the creation of a Bangsamoro police force as part of the national police force.^[2] The Bangsamoro Basic Law draft was first presented to President Aquino in April 2014, ^[3] to be submitted and approved by Congress. On August 20, the MILF submitted a final draft of the BBL to President Aquino,^[4] which he submitted to Congress on September 10.^{[5] [6]} Though Congress immediately began reviewing the BBL, the bill failed to pass in 2014.

^[1] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article XV.

^[2] Bangsamoro Basic Law: House Bill No. 4994. Article XI.

^[3] “Philippines to fast-track review of draft Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Xinhua General News Service, April 15, 2014.

^[4] “Final Bangsamoro Basic Law submitted to Philippine President,” Xinhua General News Service, August 21, 2014.

^[5] “Philippine president submits law on Muslim south to Congress,” Anadolu Agency, September 10, 2014.

^[6] “Philippine report gives details of draft autonomy bill submitted by president,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, September 11, 2014.

The peace process actors have constantly been reviewing the agreement’s compliance. As the implementation slowed down and the BTA is behind schedule to pass key legislative priorities, the normalization deadline of 2022 is now extended to 2025.

The Third Party Monitoring Team continued to operate in 2020.

The Third Party Monitoring Team continued to operate in 2019.