THE Zamboanga City Government has formally presented to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office its “Omnibus Verified Comments and Opposition” to the petitions of the village councils of Landang Gua and Busay for possible inclusion in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and the city legal team, who flew to Manila on Friday, December 7, formally presented its opposition to the Comelec.
They presented the voice of the majority of Zamboangueños that do not want to be part of the plebiscite, more so the city’s inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao (Barm) that will be created under the BOL replacing the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).
The plebiscite to ratify the BOL is slated on January 21, 2019.
In gist, Salazar said this city’s 18-page opposition was anchored on contiguity, stressing that barangays Landang Gua and Busay, both of Zamboanga City, are not contiguous to any areas under the Armm, and that their petitions be declared null and void.
Salazar said the city government has also asked Comelec to deny and dismiss the petitions filed by barangays Cawit and Arena Blanco, both of this city, for same reason as non-contiguity.
She said the city likewise petitioned the Comelec that “All Barangay/LGU resolutions or petitions filed by any individuals or groups before the Honorable Commission involving LGUs within the Zamboanga Peninsula alleging contiguity, must be denied/dismissed outright for utter lack of factual and legal basis.” (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)