By Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking to finish the canvassing of votes in the recently concluded plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in seven days.
“Our target is to complete this in one week. It will, (however), depend on the travel time of those carrying the COCs (Certificates of Canvass) and the Election Returns (ERs),” Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas said in an interview, after the Comelec en banc – sitting as the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (NPBOC) – convened Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, the NPBOC formally convened with four of the seven members of the Commission en banc present, including Abas. The others were Commissioners Al Parreño, Luie Guia, and Marlon Casquejo.
The poll body head assured that the results of the canvass will reflect the true will of the voters.
“The Commission, by its canvass of the results, shall proclaim that will (of the people) in the most transparent and inclusive manner,” he added.
Abas said he, as well as many observers, viewed the conduct of the plebiscite as reliable.
The NPBOC will be canvassing four COCs for the January 21 plebiscite.
It includes the Regional Plebiscite Certificate of Canvass from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Provincial Plebiscite Certificate of Canvass from Basilan, and the City Plebiscite Certificates of Canvass from Isabela City and Cotabato City.
The NPBOC will resume at 1 p.m. on Wednesday after suspending its session on Tuesday as there was no COC to canvass yet as of 11:30 a.m.
