Maguindanao solon pushes for 'yes' vote in BOL plebiscite

COTABATO CITY – Maguindanao lawmaker Assemblyman Khadafe “Toy” Mangudadatu has urged his constituents to support the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and vote "yes" in the plebiscite scheduled early next year.

The law provides for the establishment of an expanded political entity known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), replacing the decades-old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao set up.

Under the BARMM, being proposed for inclusion are all areas under the current ARMM – the cities of Marawi and Lamitan; the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur; 39 barangays in North Cotabato; six municipalities in Lanao del Norte; and the cities of Cotabato, and Isabela in Basilan.

“Personal and political interest should be set aside for the good of everyone,” Mangudadatu said in a statement released here Friday.

He said the time is ripe for all elected officials from the regional, provincial, municipal down to the barangay levels to push for the passage of the law that would improve the lives of every Bangsamoro.

“Now is the time for us to unite, now is the time to forget our personal interest and focus on the welfare of all Bangsamoro,” Mangudadatu, brother of Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, said.

His other brother, Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu (2nd district, Maguindanao), echoed his call for unity among Maguindanaons to support the BOL.

“The cooperation of Muslims, Christians, and Lumads is the best weapon against corruption, rebellion, and terrorism,” the lawmaker said.

The governor, meanwhile, said his clan is ready to work with all Bangsamoro leaders, including the “good Ampatuans” for the sake of the people.

The jailed Ampatuans, his political archrivals, were blamed for the infamous 2009 Maguindanao massacre that claimed the lives of 58 people, including Governor Mangudadatu’s wife and 38 journalists. (PNA)