Vice President Leni Robredo welcomed the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), and called on the Filipino people to rally behind the establishment of a strong Bangsamoro region.

Calling this a “proud moment” for Filipinos, especially for those from Mindanao, VP Leni urged the public to keep a close eye on the steps that will be taken to establish the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“Bantayan at suportahan natin ang patuloy na pagsulong ng prosesong ito, dahil hindi pa dito nagtatapos ang laban para sa kapayapaan,” she said in a statement.

“Kailangan pang siguruhin ng pamahalaan, sa pakikipagtulungan ng iba’t ibang mga sektor, na maging pundasyon ang ratipikasyong ito sa pagpapalakas ng mga institusyong magdadala ng maunlad na ekonomiya at responsableng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa bagong tatag na Bangsamoro,” she added.

In a historic vote, a total of 1,540,017 voters from the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) approved of ratifying the law that will create the new region. Cotabato City likewise voted to be included.

VP Leni underscored the importance of this vote, calling the ratification of the law the first step towards peace and prosperity in Mindanao.

“Sa matagal na panahon, marami marahil ang nagsabing mananatiling pangarap lamang ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Ngayon, pagkatapos ng ilang taon ng pagsisikap at pakikipag-usap, sakripisyo at paniniwala, sa wakas, ang pangarap na ito ay abot-kamay na rin natin,” she said.

“Buong-buo ang aking pananalig na kapayapaan ang magdadala sa bawat mamamayan ng Bangsamoro ng magandang buhay,” she added.

Earlier, the Vice President acknowledged that there are groups and sectors that are against the law’s ratification. She called on the government to also consider their concerns in the steps ahead for the Bangsamoro region.