SC sets BOL oral arguments after the fact

The Supreme Court (SC) has set the oral arguments on a case questioning the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law – but only after the first part of the BOL plebiscite is over.

In session yesterday, the SC justices decided to hear next month the arguments on the petitions filed by the provincial government of Sulu, led by Gov. Abdusakur Tan II, and the Philippine Constitutional Association (Philconsa).

Both petitioners seek to stop the BOL implementation as provided under Republic Act 11054.

An insider, who requested anonymity due to lack of authority to speak in behalf of the high tribunal, told The STAR that the SC agreed to hear the arguments in February, after the holding of the first phase of the plebiscite on Jan. 21.

However, the magistrates have yet to decide on the exact date. The second phase of the plebiscite is on Feb. 6.

The SC’s schedule for the Senate and House of Representatives month is full and the magistrates headed by Senate will hold oral arguments President Vicente Sotto and on Jan. 22 and 23, on petitions Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo, questioning the third extension respectively – before of martial law in Mindanao. deciding on a plea for the issuance

“The court does not see the of a temporary restraining need to immediately hear the order (TRO) as well as on the Bangsamoro case even with merits of the case. the plebiscite set on Jan. 21,” “The Court may still issue the source said. a TRO on the implementation

The high court earlier said of the law as sought in the the plebiscite on BOL could petitions even after the plebiscite, proceed in the absence of a restraining if warranted,” the source order from the court. clarified.

It opted to first seek the The two petitions raised comments of the respondents the same arguments against – Executive Secretary Salvador the BOL. Medialdea, members of the

General Jose Calida has filed his comment on the petition of Tan and is expected to file comment on the Philconsa petition this week.

The BOL seeks to expand the political territory of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which will be known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Rody to rally BOL support

President Duterte is expected to rally support for the BOL in a public assembly in Cotabato on Friday.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo is optimistic that Duterte would be able to persuade Cotabato residents to support the BOL.

“The President’s voice is a powerful influencing voice,” Panelo said at a press briefing yesterday.

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani earlier said her constituents would likely reject the city’s inclusion in the BARMM, citing the supposed “abuses” by some groups pushing for the BOL.

Guiani said a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) warned people opposing Cotabato’s inclusion in the BOL of consequences.

Panelo said Duterte would respect the will of those who would vote in the plebiscite for the BOL.

“The President cannot do anything but to comply with the sovereign voice of the people in Mindanao,” Panelo said.

The DBM yesterday refuted House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya’s claims that there is no funding for the BOL plebiscite under the 2019 national budget.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the BOL plebiscite has adequate funding and would push through as planned.

“In the 2018 General Appropriations Act and the 2019 National Expenditure Program, P111.8 million and P95.8 million are allocated, respectively, under the maintenance and other operating expenses for the conduct and supervision of elections, referenda, recall votes and plebiscites in the budget of the Commission on Elections,” Diokno said.