Bombings have no effect on BOL February vote — Jimenez

Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez during a press briefing. INQUIRER.net photo / Faye Orellana

MANILA, Philippines – The bombings in Mindanao is not affecting the decision of the public regarding the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James Jimenez said Wednesday.

“At least from what we have seen, the effect is not so much that they change their minds about what they want. It’s really the person whether or not they are going to be brave enough to express what they want,” Jimenez said in a press briefing.

“Pero when they find themselves at the polling precincts, they still vote the way they want. So at least iyon, hindi magbabago, yun namang ang importante,” he added.

Jimenez also said that the Comelec will be sending special monitoring teams to Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato for the February 6 plebiscite.

These areas will be voting whether or not to be included in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Jimenez said that the teams would be composed of Comelec personnel with “extensive experience in elections to witness the conduct of operations and to assist.”

“Mahalaga rin sa Comelec yung safety ng mga botante. Gusto nating masiguro na kung kailangan tayong kumilos sa areas na magkakaroon pa ng halalan, ay magagawa natin iyon,” Jimenez said.

The February 6 plebiscite will cover the six municipalities of Lanao del Nortes and six municipalities of North Cotabato.

The first round of the BOL happened last January 21 where the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao voted “yes” for the ratification of the law with more than 1.5 million votes. /cbb