After 3-day delay, President signs Bangsamoro Organic Law

Malacañang confirmed on Thursday night that President Duterte had indeed signed the landmark Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

“This is to announce that the President has just signed the [BOL] into law,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a text message to reporters.

Earlier, Roque said President Duterte had not yet signed the law creating the Bangsamoro autonomous region.

“As of 5:43 p.m., the Bangsamoro Organic Law has not yet been signed by the President,” he said.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go had also said that President Duterte had not signed the BOL.

Declaration in Ipil

These statements from Malacañang were contrary to the President’s declaration in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

“The [BOL] has been signed, but I’m still going back because I have a ceremony with [Ghazali] Jaafar and Murad [Ebrahim],” he said, referring to the senior leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.— JULIE M. AURELIO