(Eagle News)—Vice President Leni Robredo hailed the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law as a “nationwide success” which she said meant peace in Mindanao was now within reach.
“Ang pagraratipika ng (BOL) ay isang makasaysayang tagumpay na dapat ipagmalaki ng lahat ng Pilipino, lalo na ng mga kapatid nating mula sa Mindanao,” Robredo said in a statement.
She urged Filipinos to be vigilant and to continue to support the process “dahil hindi pa dito nagtatapos ang laban para sa kapayapaan.”
As for government, she said it should ensure, with the help of other sectors, that the ratification of the law will become the “foundation” for strengthening institutions that will bring economic prosperity and “responsible” local governments in the Bangsamoro.
“Sa matagal na panahon, marami marahil ang nagsabing mananatiling pangarap lamang ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao,” Robredo said.
“Ngayon, pagkatapos ng ilang taon ng pagsisikap at pakikipag-usap, sakripisyo at paniniwala, sa wakas, ang pangarap na ito ay abot-kamay na rin natin,” she added.
On Friday night, the Commission on Elections said the BOL, which seeks to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a more autonomous Bangsamoro, was “deemed ratified,” following the overwhelming yes votes in the ARMM that rendered Sulu’s majority no vote irrelevant.
The Feb. 6 plebiscite in Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City and the municipalities of Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pikit, and Pigkawayan in the province of North Cotabato will, however, still push through so the areas that will be included in the Bangsamoro can be determined.
President Rodrigo had pushed for the ratification of the BOL, calling it the only solution to Mindanao’s problems.
