VP Robredo: BOL ratification a ‘proud moment’ for Filipinos
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday lauded the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, saying the historic vote on autonomy in the country’s troubled southern region was a “proud moment” for Filipinos.
The Commission on Elections, convening as the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers, on Friday ratified the BOL, abolishing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM.
Based on the canvassing results, the residents in the ARMM favored the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with 1,540,0017 votes for “yes” and 198,750 votes for “no.”
"Bantayan at suportahan natin ang patuloy na pagsulong ng prosesong ito, dahil hindi pa dito nagtatapos ang laban para sa kapayapaan," Robredo said in a statement.
(Let’s watch and support the continued progress of this process because the fight for peace does not end here)
"Kailangan pang siguruhin ng pamahalaan, sa pakikipagtulungan ng iba’t ibang mga sektor, na maging pundasyon ang ratipikasyong ito sa pagpapalakas ng mga institusyong magdadala ng maunlad na ekonomiya at responsableng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa bagong tatag na Bangsamoro," she added.
(The government still needs to make sure — with the help of different sectors — that this ratification will be the foundation in strengthening the institutions that will bring a robust economy and responsible local government to the newly-established Bangsamoro.)
The BOL is the enabling measure for the replacement of the now 29-year-old ARMM with BARMM, based on two agreements between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), namely the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.
Since the January 21 plebiscite yielded favorable results for the BOL, the Comelec will hold the second leg of the plebiscite on February 6 in 28 barangays in North Cotabato that are not part of the ARMM but are contiguous to BOL territories.
In a separate statement, the European Union in the Philippines welcomed the creation of BARMM, which the bloc described as “a significant milestone in the history of the Philippines.”
“The European Union has been a staunch supporter of the Mindanao Peace Process throughout the years, expressing its political support, encouraging all sides to pursue a peaceful solution and providing substantial financial support for the process,” the EU said.
“The EU is prepared to continue to support the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and to work closely with the relevant stakeholders towards long-lasting peace, development and prosperity for the benefit of Mindanao and the Filipino people,” it added. — With reports from The STAR
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