OIC content with plebiscite

The so-called "Committee of Eight" of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has expressed its satisfaction with the successful conduct of the Aug. 14 plebiscite on expanded autonomy in Muslim Mindanao, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said the OIC has denied reports that it was sending a probe team to look into complaints about the plebiscite.

Tiglao said this was relayed by the Indonesian foreign minister who accompanied President Megawati Sukarnoputri during her visit to the country last week.

Indonesia heads the OIC’s Committee of Eight which has been monitoring the Philippine government’s compliance with the 1996 peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The Arroyo administration, Tiglao said, has informed the OIC leadership that the 15-man executive council of the MNLF has officially recognized the results of the plebiscite which had a 51 percent turnout among voters in 15 provinces and 14 cities in the South.

MNLF legal counsel Randolph Parcasio, however, said they expect a favorable response from the OIC on its protest against the plebiscite. He added though that they do not expect an "immediate action" on their complaint.

Parcasio urged the government to convene a meeting with the MNLF and OIC to resolve issues regarding the plebiscite.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed yesterday the official results of the plebiscite, showing that the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will be expanded to include Marawi City and Basilan (except Isabela City).

Residents of Marawi and Basilan favored inclusion in the expanded autonomous set-up, along with voters in the four original ARMM component provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

Residents of the 10 other provinces and 14 cities covered by the plebiscite voted No.

Parcasio said Gov. Nur Misuari will not take part in the ARMM elections in November. — With Edith Regalado and Sandy Araneta