ARMM votes yes to BOL, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region

The Autonomous Region in Mindanao has ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law, its statement of votes by province showed.

According to the SOV signed by the members of the ARMM's regional plebiscite board of canvassers, 1,540,017 voted yes to ratify the BOL.

There were 198,750 who voted no.

The SOV showed Maguindanao had 599,581 ‘yes’ votes and 9,096 ‘no’ votes; Lanao Del Sur, 503,420 yes and 9,735 no;  Sulu, 137,630  yes and 163, 526 no;  Basilan, 147,598 yes and  6,486 no; and Tawi-tawi, 151,788 yes and 9,907 no.

The results from Tawi-tawi completed the regional outcome when it arrived before the Regional Plebiscite Canvassing Board at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Tawi-tawi is the most far-flung area in the southwestern portion of the Philippines.

Canvassers in the province finished the count only on Wednesday.

The Maguindanao result was the first to arrive at the regional board on Tuesday.

The one from Lanao Del Sur got to the  board on Wednesday while those from Basilan and Suly arrived on Wednesday night.

Sulu voted ‘no’ but would remain part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that will replace the ARMM if the BOL is  ratified.

The result of the majority vote in the entire ARMM is the basis for the inclusion of its provinces in the BARMM.

The proposed BARMM is more expansive and has more powers than the ARMM.

Its continguous areas may also be added to the BARMM.

The President, under the law, shall appoint 18 individuals who will comprise the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the interim government of the Bangsamoro.

Elected officials of the ARMM shall be automatic members of the BTA.

During the transition period, the BTA will pass pieces of legislation on administration, revenues, local government and education.

The first elections in the BARMM shall be in  2022.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front which signed the peace deal that led to the creation of the BOL is already preparing to sit in the BTA.

It is also preparing for the decommissioning of thousands of its combatants.  —NB, GMA News