Duterte declares special non-working day in ARMM, 2 other cities on Jan. 21 for BOL plebiscite

January 17, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared as a special non-working day January 21 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Isabela City, and Cotabato City for the holding of a plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

This as Duterte will go to Cotabato City on Friday to "pitch" for the ratification of Republic Act No. 11054 of the "Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao."

"In order to give the people of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Isabela City, and Cotabato City, the opportunity to actively and fully participate in the plebiscite and exercise their right to vote, it is but fitting and proper to declare 21 January 2019 a special (non-working) day," Proclamation No. 646, which Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed by authority of the President on January 10.

Duterte is set to go to Cotabato City to attend the peace assembly for the BOL on Friday.

"The President will go there tomorrow and make a pitch for the ratification," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.

He said it was just "logical" for Duterte to personally campaign for the approval of the BOL because he favors such an idea.

The plebiscite for the BOL will be held on January 21 in ARMM, Cotabato City and Isabela City, while similar exercise will be conducted in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte on February 6. Celerina Monte/DMS