MALACAÑANG has declared February 6, Wednesday, as a special non-working day in Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City, and seven municipalities in North Cotabato to enable residents to vote in the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
The declaration is contained in Proclamation 656 which was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea by authority of President Rodrigo Duterte, on January 21.
The proclamation says making February 6 a special non-working day in Lanao del Norte and the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, Pigkawayan, and Tulunan in North Cotabato would allow people residing there to "actively and fully participate in the plebiscite and exercise their right to vote" during the plebiscite for BOL's ratification.
The BOL, signed in July 2018, creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The 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.
The first round of plebiscite was held on Monday, January 21, in the ARMM, Isabela City, and Cotabato City. Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi has expressed strong opposition to the city's inclusion in the new Bangsamoro region.
Based on the complete but unofficial tally of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the "yes" votes reached 36,682 while there were only 24,994 "no" votes.
In a separate statement issued Wednesday, Malacañang was elated that the "yes" votes for the ratification of the BOL prevailed during the plebiscite in Cotabato City.
"Consistent with the position of the President for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), we are pleased that the “yes vote” has prevailed in Cotabato City, based on the complete but unofficial tally of the Commission on Elections," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
"As in all elections and plebiscites, there will be claims of irregularity, fraud and intimidation. If they do not affect the credibility of the elections and alter the result thereof, while those responsible for the undemocratic methods will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, the result of the plebiscite must be upheld despite discordant voices," he added.
Panelo said those who are against the BOL must yield to the rule of the majority.
"All the major players, pro and con, must now come together and work together for the success of the common aspiration of the Bangsamoro people, which is to have a progressive and peaceful Mindanao," he added. (SunStar Philippines)