Plebiscite preparations ongoing despite SC petitions vs BOL

MANILA, Philippines — Unperturbed by the two petitions filed in the Supreme Court (SC) against the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not about to slow down in its preparations for the plebiscite on Jan. 21 and Feb. 6.

In an interview, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said they cannot allow themselves to be sidetracked. 

“We are not bothered by these petitions. If the SC issues a temporary restraining order (TRO), only then will we stop what we are doing,” Jimenez added.

The Comelec official said they do not want to be “caught flat-footed” if they stopped the preparations and no TRO is issued by the SC. 

“Remember, the challenges are not directed versus Comelec but the law itself. If ever the Comelec is going to be a party, it’s just incidental because we are the one that enforces it,” he maintained.

Muslim accountants back BOL

Meanwhile, a national organization of Muslim accountants yesterday asked the SC to uphold the legality of the BOL.

In a 51-page answer-in-intervention, the Philippine Association of Islamic Accountants (PAIA) supported the solicitor general in defending the constitutionality of the BOL and asked the SC to dismiss the petitions filed by the Sulu provincial government led by Gov. Abdusakur Tan II and the Philippine Constitutional Association.

Joined by Commissioner Manuelito Luna of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, PAIA led by its president Amanoding Esmail argued that the BOL or Republic Act 11054 does not violate Article 10, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution, which authorized only one organic law to establish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The group stressed that the Constitution allows Congress to repeal and amend the ARMM.

“It is our submission that autonomy in the Constitution is a juridical entity and it may undergo metamorphosis into its better form by congressional legislation in the name of general welfare or the welfare of the Bangsamoro,” read the pleading.

“No doubt, the autonomy provisions in the Constitution constitute the legal formulation of the resolution of the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination, which is an issue of social justice that is rooted in their marginalization by the majority population of the country for centuries. Against this social backdrop, there cannot be any one masterstroke to span the social gap and mend the relationship,” it pointed out. 

Fight vs insurgency, terrorism

For its part, the military will work with Filipino Muslim communities in the effort to end the country’s insurgency problem and the threat posed by terror groups.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., speaking at his first flag-raising ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, called on his fellow officials and soldiers to strive for excellence.

Madrigal added that the AFP will “fully support the conduct of the plebiscite” for the BOL and gave assurance the Bangsamoro people’s exercise of their right to vote would be safeguarded.

“We also need to eradicate the existence of terrorist cells through our initiative on preventing and countering violent extremism with the support of concerned agencies and the Muslim community,” Madrigal said.

The new AFP chief, who assumed the post last month, laid out his intentions for the year, stressing the need to enhance professionalism and character development alongside achieving operational goals.

“To reach higher levels of success, it is imperative that we possess a deeper sense of dedication, teamwork, professional competence and commitment to excellence,” he said.

Madrigal reminded his fellow officials, officers and soldiers of the AFP’s goal of putting an end to the armed conflict and the terror threat in the country.

“We will carry on and push our strong will to score a complete victory and finally put an end to local communist armed conflict. We will focus on capacitating ourselves in peace constituency-building, stakeholder leadership, community dialogue and nation-building,” he said.

Madrigal emphasized that the AFP must always be reminded of the trust of the people that solidifies the military’s legitimacy and credibility as their protector. – With Edu Punay, Michael Punongbayan, Ramil Bajo, Roel Pareño, Jose Rodel Clapano