Two days set aside for BOL plebiscite: Comelec

December 7, 2018

Two days will be set aside for the plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Friday.

In a statement, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the Bangsamoro plebiscite will be held in January 21 and in February 6.

“The plebiscite for the ratification of BOL will be conducted on two separate days to allow time for the full resolution of petitions for voluntary inclusion in the plebiscite,” said Jimenez.

In the areas comprising the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM); as well as Isabela City in Basilan, and Cotabato City, the plebiscite will push on January 21.

The plebiscite for 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 all other areas contiguous to any of the Bangsamoro core areas, where either the local government of such area, by way of a resolution; or at least 10 percent of the registered voters in a local government unit, by way of a petition, asked for inclusion in the plebiscite, shall hold theirs on February 6.

“What happened is too many petitions for inclusion were filed. So it appears that we cannot meet the cut-off point, which is December 15 also,” he explained.

“It is unlikely that the resolutions of several petitions will make it on time,” added Jimenez. DMS