The much-awaited self-governance by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is one step closer to being approved since Philippine President Benigno Aquino has passed the draft to the Congress at the Malacañang Palace on Wednesday. 

Passing the said law is seen as a significant event since this marks the agreement between the President and the MILF to allow self-governance in the country's southern region known as Mindanao.

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Aquino described the law as also another step towards a more peaceful and more progressive Mindanao, a land that covers over 10 percent of the total land area of the Philippines.

Aquino called on the legislators to pass the bill as soon as possible. The law is said to be passed before the year ends.

In Mindanao, rebels known as guerilla groups have inhabited the region for decades now. If the bill will be approved, the rebel leaders will be the ones ruling the region and the members of the group will be the political party.

Once the law is approved, residents in Mindanao will be voting by next year.

In exchange for the bill being passed, the MILF agreed to disarm themselves resulting to stopping the ongoing wars in the south that has killed over 120, 000 people.

However, senators have voiced their opinions regarding the bill, saying it might not be passed before 2015. Senate President Franklin Drilon and opposition Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said there are a lot of factors they have to look into.

The bill will be an opportunity to find the peace everyone has been waiting for and no one would want to waste the opportunity, Senator Marcos assured.

The Philippines is mostly compromised of Catholics and the bill would certainly improve the status of living for millions of the Muslims as they are regarded as one of the poorest inhabitants of the country.

On the other hand, analysts cautioned the government and the MILF members regarding the self-governance law. Earl Parreño from the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms noted that challenges involving business interests, ethnic-based fractions and political securities should also be considered.

TagsMILF, guerilla group, Mindanao, Southern Part, Muslim, Self-governance, Draft passed, Congress