Comelec says Bangsamoro plebiscite results out in a week

January 22, 2019

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it expects the results of the recently concluded plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to be out in a week.

In an interview Tuesday, Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas said: “Our target is to complete this in one week.”

This, he explained, is to allow enough time for the ballot boxes to be transported to Manila.

“It will depend on the travel time of those carrying the COCs (certificates of canvass) and the Election Returns (ERs),” said Abas.

The National Board of Canvassers convened Tuesday with four of the seven members of the Commissionbanc present.

Abas was joined by Commissioners Al Parreño, Luie Guia, and Marlon Casquejo.

The poll chief, in his opening speech, said: “The Commission, by its canvass of the results, shall proclaim that will (of the people) in the most transparent and inclusive manner.”

Four certificates of canvass was to have been scrutinized by the national board.

They include the Regional Plebiscite Certificate of Canvass (RPCOC) from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Provincial Plebiscite Certificate of Canvass (PPCOC) from Basilan, and the City Plebiscite Certificates of Canvass (CPCOC) from Isabela City and Cotabato City.

But no certificates of canvass were available as of 11:30 am and the board suspended session. Sessions will resume Wednesday at 1 pm

Abas said the plebiscite was a ''credible one''.

“It is really a credible one. And many observers also say that it is credible,” Abas said.

Abas said they will also be looking at the incidents in Cotabato City last Monday.

“We received raw reports of about seven incidents. And we will be looking into these reports from the ground,” said the official.

The incidents, Abas said, include commotions as well as grenade throwing in Cotabato City on Sunday. DMS