PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was elated Monday, February 11, over what he described as a "great outcome" of the referendum for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In a speech delivered in Maguindanao, the President called on the public to "join the government" in its bid to establish the BARMM, which will replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Duterte said it would be best if people from areas that will be included in the new Bangsamoro region would cooperate with and give their full support to his administration.
"During the three years, one of the great developments that happened in this country is this BOL. So I'm glad that it has succeeded and I am inviting everyone here, Maguindanao primarily, join us in government," Duterte said.
"Hindi man akin yan, atin lahat itong gobyerno na ito. Be a part of it. Okay lang 'yan armas mo, ilibing mo na yan hindi mo yan kailangan. Isang putok lang nyan gulo. Pero kung tahimik tayo, mag-usap tayo at maibigay naman yung gusto niyo na tulong na dapat talaga sa inyo," he added.
(The government is not mine. This government is ours. Be a part of it. Your arms, bury it because you'll no longer need that. One shot, it will be chaotic. But if we all behave and seek a dialogue, we can give the assistance you need and you should get.)
On January 21, the first round of plebiscite for the BOL's ratification was held in the ARMM, Isabela City and Cotabato City.
The second plebiscite was held on February 6 in Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City, and seven municipalities in North Cotabato.
The BOL installs BARMM, which is envisioned to grant wider self-rule to predominantly Muslim provinces and cities.
Under the BOL, the new Bangsamoro region 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. (SunStar Philippines)