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Entitled "BBL in the Pipes: Where Do We Go From Here?", the roundtable discussion aimed at discussing the status and the future of the Basic Law (BBL) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region from the perspective of policymakers, the media, and other stakeholders. One week after the Bangsamoro-Ad-hoc Committee of the House of Representatives agreed on an amended BBL version, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) invited key experts, journalists and lawmakers to discuss the future of the Basic Law and the peace process in Mindanao.

An introduction about the discussion was given by Mr. Benedikt Seemannn, Country Representative of KAS Manila. This was followed by opening remarks from the Hon. Rufus Rodriguez, Chairperson of the Bangsamoro-Ad-hoc Committee, who explained the amendments of the members of the House of Representatives, such as renaming the bill and deleting other sections that imply the existence of a sub-state. The Hon. Rodolfo Biazon of the House of Representatives gave his opening remarks as well, saying: "I said yes to the BBL with serious reservations" on the sections concerning national defense, proclamation of winners on a plebiscite, and others. The speakers during the opening remarks underscored that their vote of "Yes" to the bill should be interpreted as a sign of "not giving up of peace in Mindanao."

After the remarks, the roundtable discussion commenced, wherein concerns and clarifications on the bill were raised by esteemed participants from various sectors such as Atty. Elgine Alfonso of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines, Mr. Julio Amador III of the Foreign Service Institute, Atty. Benny Bacani of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance, Mr. Jarius Bondoc of The Philippine Star, Ms. Rina Jimenez David of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Prof. Estelle Marie Ladrido of the Konrad Adenauer Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University and Ms. Raissa Robles, a renowned journalist.

According to the Hon. Rufus Rodriguez, the BBL voting in the House of Representatives is scheduled for June 11. Once the Upper House of Congress, the Senate of the Philippines, approves, the plebiscite for the BBL could be held, effectively establishing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region by October 2015.