‘Petition questioning constitutionality of BOL may render plebiscite moot’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday cautioned Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Sayadi on her plan to file a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) to declare the recently concluded plebiscite in Mindanao on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) null and void.

“They can always file appropriate charges regarding their claims. But remember that there is still a pending petition before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the BOL, ” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“If the Supreme Court for instance decides that it’s unconstitutional, that would render moot and academic all moves, including invalidation of plebiscite,” he added.

Panelo said the petitioners would likely argue the BOL was ratified by the people in the plebiscite. 

“Then that cured the unconstitutionality. It depends on the Supreme Court on how they will look into it,” said Panelo, also the chief presidential legal adviser.

Panelo was referring to the complaint filed by the Sulu provincial government and the Philippine Constitutional Association against the BOL last December. The Court has consolidated both petitions.   

In a 118-page comment filed last January, Solicitor General Jose Calida argued the BOL 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.