“Kung sino ‘yung ayaw sa BOL (Bangsamoro Organic Law), ayaw sa Islam (Those who are anti-BOL, are anti-Islam).”
This was voiced out by Davao City Bangsa Iranun Deputy Mayor Pamikerin Arumpac Jr. on Saturday, two days before the BOL plebiscite.
“Why are they opposing the BOL, where in fact, 90-percent (of the provisions) of the law are based on the Qur’an (Islamic bible),” Arumpac said on Saturday’s Davao Media Forum at Basti’s Brew Café.
The deputy mayor also said that with the new form of government, leaders who will be elected will duly performed their responsibilities.
Arumpac made these statements when asked about Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi and Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo who are vocal on their strong opposition on the transitory government.
He even labelled these politicians “trapo” or “traditional politicians”.
“Because they are thinking that once the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) will be seated, they will be out of their positions,” Arumpac said
“BOL will be the real form of government,” he added.
Arumpac alleged that Sayadi is using her stand on BOL for political reasons.
“During the first two plebiscites, majority voted for ‘no’. That is why her stand is ‘no’. If she will vote for ‘yes’, only few people will vote for her this upcoming midterm elections,” he said.
Arumpac also alleged that Sayadi was disappointed for not being credited with the crafting of then-Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
Arumpac said that “Dimaporo has no participation in the struggles of his constituents”.
The deputy mayor believes that the BOL will be favored, amidst the short period of campaign for its passage.
Sayadi, in an interview with CNN Philippines, strongly opposed the inclusion of Cotabato City in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), because she said that the MILF, one of the proponents of the law, cannot be trusted for its past terrorist atrocities in the city.
Although she said that she will respect the outcome of the plebiscite, she believes that the people of Cotabato will vote against BOL.
