DAVAO CITY (October 22)- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has set the campaign period for the Bangsamoro Organic Law on December 7 and end on January 19, 2019, before the actual conduct of the plebiscite.
The Commission on Elections en banc, pursuant to the authority granted by Republic Act 11054, has set the date for the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite on 21 January 2019.
The plebiscite will allow people to either approve or reject the law, which provides for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In a resolution, the COMELEC approved the conduct of the campaign period and indicated that it will supervise the conduct of an information campaign, including those for indigenous communities. Every barangay within the plebiscite area are also directed to hold at least one assembly or “pulong-pulong” during the campaign period to enlighten the voters about the law.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) seeks, among others, a 75-25 wealth sharing between the Bangsamoro and national government. The region will also be allowed to collect local taxes for its own development.
Comelec has set the plebiscite period from December 7 until February 5, the period by which the carrying of firearms is also prohibited.
From Jan. 20 to 21, it will also impose the ban against the sale, purchase, and use of intoxicating liquor. Giving and accepting free transportation, food and drinks are also prohibited.
Aside from the current provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, other areas being eyed for inclusion are 39 barangays in North Cotabato, six municipalities in Lanao del Norte, and the cities of Cotabato in Maguindanao, and Isabela in Basilan. -ezc/ NewsLine
