Press Release
July 27, 2018

"It took a Mindanaon President!"
Zubiri thanks President Rodrigo Duterte for signing BOL

We thank President Duterte for signing the BOL as he promised. He closely followed our work. Now, the more difficult part begins.

The Bangsamoro stakeholders, including legislators should see to it that the preparatory measures are completed. We need a plebiscite to implement the law. Majority should approve of this, otherwise the ARMM areas shall continue to be administered under the ARMM law.

From experience, we had all learned that the old ARMM law has become deficient as a framework for peace & economic growth for the region. The old set up of the ARMM did not promote the peace and development that it had promised to do by lacking the political reform measures that are sorely needed to achieve those gains. Thankfully, the Bangsamoro Organic Law has many of these measures in place. From transparency and accountability, to political party system of governance to fiscal autonomy and strengthened self-governance. The BOL will be able to achieve what ARMM failed to do. Which is to equally serve every Filipino living in the Bangsamoro area.

I will follow through with the provisions for the plebiscite, its funding and Comelec's preparations for the BOL, even as it prepares for next year's midterm elections. I'm sure the President will see to it that all government agencies concerned will be up to their respective tasks and that budget, personnel and other resources needed will be sufficient.

The President's signing also meant the National Government is finally serious about achieving peace & order in Mindanao. Police, defense and security matters really have to be ironed out between government forces, MILF, MNLF and other armed rebels. We made airtight provisions in that aspect. Otherwise, our development projects for the Bangsamoro cannot be implemented.

It took a Mindanaon President to finally get this done, and this will be his administration's Legacy...

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