Cotabateños give PRRD '8' rating despite BOL setback

COTABATO CITY – Cotabateños has given President Rodrigo Duterte a rating of “8” from a scale of 1-10 despite the failure of the House of Representatives (HoR) to ratify the proposed Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in time for the Chief Executive’s third State of the Nation Address on Monday.

In several inteviews, most Cotabateños gave the President a high rating of “8,” which they equate to "a job well done."

“Nothing to worry about because we look at the non-ratification by the HoR of the BOL as a blessing in disguise. It means that the door still remains open if there are still revisions on the proposed measure,” Von Al Haq, Moro Islamic Liberation Front– Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces spokesperson, said in a phone interview by reporters here.

 Al Haq said what is important is that during the SONA, the President has promised to sign the proposed bill within the next 48 hours after thoroughly reviewing it.

Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani, for her part, said the President’s SONA was "a very satisfactory one."

In particular, Guiani said she was moved on the part where the President emphasized that the war against drugs will not be sidelined but “will be as relentless and chilling as the day it began.”

“I agree that it must continue because I believe that if we will be able to completely eradicate illegal drugs in our communities, then we can assure a better and a more decent tomorrow for our future generations,” the mayor said.

Guiani is known for her tough stance against illegal drugs and criminality through her nightly “Ronda” patrol together with the military and police forces.

The mayor also commended the President for his strong stand on the issue of human rights.

“We must not only look at the present but more importantly, we must look at what this fight against illegal drugs will bring our children and their future,” she said.

“I only hope that our justice system will also exhibit the same concern for our people and see past the technicalities of the court cases against arrested drug personalities," she added.

Mustapha Kudin, a dressed chicken businessman, said he remains enthusiastic about the BOL amid the delay in its passage into law.

“We were excited at the store because of the BOL but nonetheless we hope that the measure would be ratified by the HoR in their next session,” he said. “I am giving the President an ‘8’ for his good performance."

The Lower House adjourned its session on Monday (July 23) without approving the BOL. The Senate ratified the BOL on Monday morning.

“We still believe in the President, we will give him time for the BOL signing,” Rosebem Castro, a working student said, adding she is particularly impressed with the President’s campaign against drugs and criminality are .

The 21-year-old Castro, herself a victim of a hold-up incident in the past, said she could now walk home at ease at night from her night classes without fear from lawless elements due to police visibility at strategic points of the city.

“I give the President an "8" for now because so far he has addressed the country’s problem on drugs and criminality including Cotabato City with continuity,” she said.

Teofilo Malangan Jr., a carpenter, also gave the President an “8” due to the "prevailing peaceful situation the city is enjoying right now."

“Who would ever imagine that crime volume here dropped by more than 50 percent in just the span of two years? That means the President is doing his job right,” Malangan said in vernacular. (PNA)