Hataman: Comelec best venue for plebiscite issues, not social media

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Updated 1:25 p.m.)  — The governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is urging voters to leave issues on the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite to the Commission on Elections and to refrain from hostility on social media.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman on Friday said voters on either side of the BOL debate should let the poll body address legal questions on the conduct of the plebiscite, reports of harassment of voters and other electoral anomalies instead of bashing each other online.

"The Comelec has processes to address that," Hataman told reporters via text Friday.

According to a report by The STAR, the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers has ordered the retabulation of votes from Cotabato City between the statement of votes and the total number of votes recorded.

The board found that that the total number of "yes" and "no" votes was higher than the number of votes cast.

"The certificate of canvass will be referred to the tabulation committee to undergo reaudit to ensure correction," Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas announced Thursday.

“Let us not be divided forever by that exercise. Let is pick the pieces together, restore the bridges, move on, thrive in peace and religious solidarity,” Hataman said.

Except for Sulu, residents in other ARMM provinces—Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi—voted for the ratification of the BOL, or Republic Act 11054, overwhelmingly.

The “yes” vote also won in Cotabato City, under Administrative Region 12, although the city's mayor is contesting this, citing reports of intimidation and other alleged irregularities.Isabela City in Basilan, which is not part of the ARMM, rejected inclusion in the proposed new region.

The BOL is the enabling measure for the replacement of the now 29-year ARMM with BARMM, based on two compacts between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front—the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and, subsequently, the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro.

“Our focus now in the executive department of ARMM is the transition of leadership from ARMM to BARMM, for us an answered prayer,” Hataman said.

The BARMM shall initially be led by an 80-member transitory body whom President Rodrigo Duterte will appoint. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority will form the new region's government until elections are held for the Bangsamoro parliament.