By Azer Parrocha/PNA
MANILA — Malacañang said Tuesday the initial, unofficial tally of votes in the plebiscite on the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) validates the results of a survey showing that a majority of Muslims favor the approval of the landmark legislation.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark after a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) from Dec. 16 to 19, 2018 indicates that 79 percent of Muslims nationwide favor the BOL’s ratification.
Meanwhile, 7 percent of those surveyed were not in favor, and 14 percent were undecided.
“The Bangsamoro people have enough of war, terrorism and poverty. They hunger for peace and thirst for development in Mindanao,” Panelo said in a statement.
The unofficial tally, according reports, show that more than 300,000 have voted to create a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“The initial unofficial tally of the votes in the plebiscite appears to validate the survey results,” Panelo said.
Panelo, meanwhile, expressed hope that the desire of Muslims for long-lasting peace will soon become a reality.
“We hope that the aspiration of our Muslim brothers and sisters for a peaceful and progressive Bangsamoro region will commence its realization following the ratification of the BOL,” he said.
On Monday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) conducted the first plebiscite on the ratification of the BOL for residents of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City, and Isabela City.
Another plebiscite will be held on February 6 in the province of Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City; the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, and Pigkawayan in the province of North Cotabato; and the 28 barangays to be included in the region.
The BOL (Republic Act No. 11054), considered one of the administration’s biggest legislative achievements, seeks to establish a new Bangsamoro political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Duterte signed the BOL on July 27 last year, hoping to correct the historical injustices committed against the Moro people.
