Palace says Supreme Court should decide legitimacy of plebiscite

Malacanangsaid yesterday it would let the Supreme Court (SC) decide on thelegality of the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) amidaccusations of harassment and intimidation.“That’s why I saidyesterday they can always file appropriate charges regarding theirclaims. But remember that there is still a pending petition before theSupreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the BOL? If theSupreme Court decides it’s unconstitutional, then all of it becomes mootand academic. The plebiscite would be invalidated,” Palace spokesmanSalvador Panelo said in a press briefing.Cotabato City Mayor CynthiaGuiani Sayadi has said her legal team was preparing for the filing of apetition before the high court to nullify the plebiscite. The mayorclaimed that government and military officials conspired with the MoroIslamic Liberation Front (MILF) to ensure that the “yes” vote would win.“Onthe other hand, I’m sure the petitioners will argue that since therehas been a ratification by the people then that cured theunconstitutionality. It depends on the Supreme Court,” she added.Sayadisaid her camp had documented the violence, threats and intimidationthat transpired within and outside of polling places during the castingof votes in Cotabato City for its inclusion in the Bangsamoro AutonomousRegion in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on January 21.She also showeddocuments that would prove her claims that government and militaryofficials, who were supposed to protect the integrity of the plebiscite,allegedly conspired with the MILF to ensure the victory of the BOL.“They are all fully documented and we will present them at the proper forum at the proper time,” Sayadi said.