IT WAS "logical" for President Rodrigo Duterte to participate in a peace assembly in support of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) since he advocated for the creation of new Bangsamoro region that will correct historical injustice in Mindanao, Malacañang said on Thursday, January 17.
In a press conference held at Malacañan, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said there was nothing wrong if the President flew to Cotabato City to join a pro-BOL assembly and make a bid for people's support on the law's ratification.
"His (Duterte) attendance to the peace assembly in support of BOL ratification) will push through as scheduled. The President will go there tomorrow and make a pitch for the ratification," the Palace official said.
"The President was in favor of BOL. It's just logical for someone who is in favor of a particular idea to make a pitch for it," he added.
The mass action in Cotabato City will be held on Friday, January 18, or just three days ahead of the scheduled plebiscite for Bangsamoro law.
The plebiscite with regard to the ratification of the BOL will take place on January 21 for voters in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), Isabela City in Basilan, and Cotabato City.
Meantime, people residing in Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City, and six municipalities in North Cotabato will vote for BOL's ratification on February 6.
BOL seeks to install a new Bangsamoro political entity that is envisioned to grant wider self-rule to predominantly Muslim provinces and cities.
The ratification of BOL will pave the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), which will replace the Armm.
Under BOL, Barmm is composed of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, six municipalities of Lanao del Norte, 39 villages of North Cotabato, and chartered cities of Cotabato and Isabela.
Prior to Duterte's confirmed attendance to the peace assembly in Cotabato City, Malacañang said the Chief Executive will use his voice as a "powerful influence" to ensure the successful ratification of the BOL. (SunStar Philippines)