Palace: Duterte to respect people’s will on Bangsamoro law

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte would respect the “people’s call” on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), Malacañang said Monday, a week before a plebiscite in parts of Mindanao on whether or not to ratify the measure.

“What is important and certain is that the President will abide by whatever the will of the sovereign people in that part of this country is,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said also Monday that Duterte would join a rally in Cotabato on January 18 in support of BOL.

Panelo has not confirmed whether or not the President would attend that event.

“But ultimately, it will be the people’s call whether they want it or not,” he said.

“Well, certainly, the voice of the President is always a powerful influence on whatever matter he gives his voice into,” he added.

Asked if the President would campaign for the ratification of BOL, Panelo said: “If he feels that there is a need (then) he will campaign for that.”

“If he feels that it will win, whether even without his calling for voters to support it, he will not,” he also said.

“The President (is) best judge of what will be the outcome of this plebiscite. He will make a move if he thinks he should. He won’t sit and just watch if he feels kailangan,” he added.

The plebiscite to ratify BOL, which would replace the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARRM), would be held on January 21. /kga