Comelec ratifies BOL as canvassing ends

FILE: @COMELEC En Banc acting as the NPBOC for the canvassing of votes for the #BangsamoroPlebiscite releases results and adjourns session. (Photo: @COMELEC/Twitter)

MANILA — The National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (NPBOC) on Friday proclaimed the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

This, after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc, sitting as the NPBOC, canvassed all four Certificates of Canvass of Monday’s plebiscite.

In a resolution, the poll body said majority of the areas participated in the plebiscite, namely Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Basilan, and Cotabato City voted ‘Yes’ while voters in Isabela City voted ‘No’.

The votes garnered in the following areas are as follows:

* ARMM: Yes – 1,540,017; No – 198,750;

* Cotabato: Yes – 36,682; No – 24,994;

* Isabela City: Yes – 19,032; No – 22,441

* Basilan: Yes – 144,640; No – 8,487.

“The Comelec sitting en banc proclaims Republic Act 11054, Organic Law for BARMM as deemed ratified, majority of votes cast of present ARMM is in favor of approval of Organic Law,” said the resolution read by Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas.

Due to the victory of “No” votes in Isabela City, it will not be a part of the BARMM.

At the same time, the NPBOC ordered the Committee to furnish a copy of the resolution to the Office of the President, Senate and House of Representatives.