Comelec exec to inhibit from BBL deliberations

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Sheriff Abas has committed to inhibit from participating in issues concerning the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), citing his being a nephew of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.

Abas gave assurance that he will not participate in any deliberation on BBL, including the plebiscite for the proposed Bangsamoro region.

“I will really inhibit myself whenever Bangsamoro will be in the agenda of the meetings,” said Abas, whose father is the elder brother of Iqbal.

Abas added this has been his decision after his appointment by President Aquino and he relayed his wishes to Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista.

The Comelec had appointed Commissioner Al Parreño to head the Comelec – Committee on Bangsamoro Plebiscite Matters.

The law mandates Comelec to conduct a plebiscite in order to ratify the proposed BBL and determine the scope of the Bangsamoro political entity. It was slated to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The Comelec has estimated that it would take six months to prepare for the holding of the plebiscite.