MANILA, Philippines – Citing the “overwhelming” participation in the first referendum, Malacañang on Thursday expressed optimism that the recent bombings in Mindanao would not affect voter turnout in the second Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on February 6.
“Filipinos cannot be cowed by terroristic acts. For a while medyo kakabahan lang sila pero pag nakita nila tuloy na naman, ganun naman tayong mga Pilipino e. We always manage to stand up in times of distress,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
Panelo’s assurance came after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that it was expecting a decrease in the participation of voters in the second BOL plebiscite on February 6 following Sunday’s twin blasts that rocked the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu, killing at least 21 people and hurting 111 others.
FILE – In this photo provided by WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines, a soldier views the site inside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in the southern Philippines after two bombs exploded Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. The Philippine government says it will “pursue to the ends of the earth the ruthless perpetrators” behind bomb attacks that killed over a dozen people and wounded many more during a Sunday Mass at a cathedral on the restive southern island. (WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines Via AP)
“Comelec does not have that capability, it’s only the Armed Forces of the Philippines who can say whether it will affect or not because it’s them who secure the area. Comelec sa eleksyon lang ‘yon eh,” Panelo said.
“Nag-speculate lang sila. Speculating lang. They’re saying na because nagkaroon ng bomba takot na takot na ang tao…they’re just alert and conscious but they will vote,” he added.
The first round of the BOL plebiscite took place 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.
Another plebiscite on the BOL will be held on Feb. 6 for registered voters from Lanao del Norte, except Iligan City, and several municipalities and barangays in North Cotabato.
The second plebiscite will determine what other areas will be included in the Bangsamoro region that will replace Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM.
READ: Comelec: ‘Yes’ votes win first round of BOL referendum