(Eagle News)–The Bangsamoro Organic Law that replaces the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a more autonomous Bangsamoro has been “deemed ratified,” the Commission on Elections declared on Friday night.
Comelec Chair Sherrif Abas made the declaration after it was found the “majority of the votes cast with all the provinces and cities of the present (ARMM) voting as one geographical area is in favor of the approval..”
Based on the votes, included in the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were the provinces included in the present ARMM, with 1,540,017 voting yes, and Cotabato, with 36,682 there voting yes for the ratification.
Even if a majority of voters in Sulu voted against the ratification, the Comelec said this did not have a bearing because of the solid ARMM pro-BOL vote.
Isabela also rejected the ratification, but with only 22,441 no votes and 19,032 yes votes.
The Comelec said it would prepare a report stating Republic Act 11054 has been “deemed ratified,” to be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte and to Congress.
But the February 6 plebiscite will push through so the additional areas to be included in the BARMM can be determined.
The plebiscite will cover the six municipalities of Lanao del Norte– Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagaloan and Tangkall and 39 barangays of North Cotabato namely Aleosan, Carmen, Cabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan, and Pikit.
Under BOL, BARMM will have an expanded water and land jurisdiction and fiscal autonomy, among others.
President Duterte has supported the ratification of the law, which he has touted as the only solution to Mindanao’s problems.