Palace tells BOL opponents to accept poll result, ‘toe the line’

Members of the MNLF – Nur Misuari faction gather at the Cotabato City hall lobby to support city Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi in opposing BOL and inclusion of the city to BARMM. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SAM MUNDAS

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos should accept whatever the results of the plebiscite on the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) would be, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Voters from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Cotabato City, and Isabela City in Basilan cast their votes on Monday on whether or not to approve BOL.

Residents from North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte will get to vote on the matter on February 6.

“If it will be passed, that means those covered by the region except those against [BOL] like Cotabato and Sulu will be happy. But they do not have a choice. That’s the law, everyone has to toe the line,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo, in a statement, said initial and unofficial tally of votes in the BOL plebiscite validated a Social Weather Station (SWS) survey result, which showed that majority of Muslims nationwide support the ratification of the proposed statute.

READ: Plebiscite’s initial tally validates Muslim support for BOL — Palace

Panelo said he has yet to talk to President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the initial results of the BOL plebiscite but said “if the initial tally indicates the passage, then he will be pleased.” /kga