Duterte ‘very happy’ with BOL plebiscite results

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte stresses at a point as he delivers his speech during the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) Summit at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on January 23, 2019. REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte said Wednesday he is “very happy” with the initial results of the plebiscite on the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

Duterte made this remark after results of the BOL plebiscite in Cotabato City showed that majority of the voters opted to join the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“I’m very happy. We are a step nearer to a peaceful Mindanao,” Duterte said in a chance interview after the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) Summit in Pasay City.

The President, meanwhile, expressed openness to speak with Nur Misuari, founding chair of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“We have to refocus again dito sa (here on the) western side kasi si (because of) Misuari,” he said.

Duterte said that he would also “take into account” the sentiment of the people of Sulu that voted against the ratification of the BOL.

“Sulu voted ‘no.’ So that’s something. I have to take that into account, otherwise sabihin nila binalewala ‘yung damdamin nila (they might think we’re ignoring their sentiments),” he added.

“That’s how it operates, especially among the Moro people,” he added.

Aside from Cotabato City, the plebiscite was also conducted in Isabela City and five provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao — Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

A second plebiscite is scheduled on February 6 in six Lanao del Norte towns and in 67 villages in North Cotabato.