By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA
MANILA — European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen on Thursday congratulated the Philippine government and all stakeholders for the successful conduct of the second Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite.
“Congratulations to the Philippine Government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Commission on Elections for the generally peaceful conduct of the second phase of the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite on February 6, 2019 in Lanao del Norte’s and North Cotabato’s towns and villages,” the envoy said in a statement.
“(We are) looking forward to continue to support the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law towards long-lasting peace, development and prosperity for the benefit of Mindanao and the Filipino people,” he added.
The referendum was held on Wednesday in the towns of Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan, and Tangkal in Lanao del Norte; and in the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, and Pigcawayan in North Cotabato.
Meanwhile, 28 barangays in the two provinces sought voluntary inclusion in the new political entity.
The Comelec en banc, sitting as the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (NPBOC), has recently proclaimed the ratification of the BOL after canvassing all four Certificates of Canvass of the January 21 BOL plebiscite.
An overwhelming majority in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) voted in favor of the Bangsamoro ARMM’s creation with 1,540,017 votes. Cotabato City also opted to join the BARMM, with 36,682 ‘Yes’ votes.
According to the Comelec, around 75 percent of the voters participated in the second phase of the BOL plebiscite in Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City, and seven towns of North Cotabato.
