Basilan, Cotabato question inclusion in ARMM

Residents are questioning government pronouncements that Cotabato City and Basilan have voted to be included in an expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

In Cotabato City, Fr. Jose Bagaforo, chairman of the Humanitarian Ministries of the Catholic Diocese, told radio station dxMS yesterday "pro-No" sectors suspect "certain groups" might be maneuvering things to make it appear that residents voted "yes."

"The Commission on Elections (in Region 12) cannot give any explanation on why until now the results of the plebiscite in the city have not been canvassed yet by the city board of canvassers," he said.

Radio stations were flooded with calls yesterday from concerned residents, among them Islamic religious leaders, who were complaining on the air about the slow count of the plebiscite’s results.

Ibrahim Guaipar, Cotabato City schools division superintendent, told The STAR yesterday the city board of canvassers had not yet asked him last night to officially take part in the counting.

"If the board will officially notify me, I will make myself available for that canvassing," he said.

Arturo Cocjin, city election officer, did not take part in the supposed start of canvassing the other day, saying that he was suffering from an asthma attack.

In Basilan, former Gov. Alvin Dans said he will question before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) the result of the plebiscite in four towns.

"I will write the Comelec and question the statistical improbability of the results," he said.

Dans said the four towns with questionable results are Tipo-Tipo, Tuburan, Sumisip and Lantawan, which appeared to have had an overwhelming voter turnout despite inclement weather for the past five days.

"It seems people were enthusiastic despite the heavy rains, bad peace and order conditions and scarcity of transportation," he said.

It was impossible for voters in the four towns to have achieved "almost perfect participation" because of the prevailing peace and order situation, he added.

In Isabela City, the provincial capital, more than 14,000 people voted "No" while 3,000 voted "Yes," which represent only 40 percent of the more than 25,000 voters.

In Turburan, of the 23,625 voters, 17 voted "Yes" and 400 "No."

In 1990, residents of Cotabato City voted against the ratification of Republic act 6734, the ARMM charter, which grouped the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi into a regional government under Gov. Nur Misuari.

President Arroyo said yesterday Basilan and its surrounding islands voted to join the four-province ARMM in last Tuesday’s plebiscite.

Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast Meeting at the Manila Hotel, Mrs. Arroyo said: "Marawi City, the province of Basilan and possibly Cotabato City have voted to join the expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao."

Jose Joson, Comelec assistant director for operations, told reporters yesterday initial results showed about 70 percent of votes cast in Basilan favored joining the ARMM.

About 80 percent of Basilan’s votes have been counted, he added, although he could not give specific figures.

Joson said Christian majority Isabela City and Lamitan town voted against joining the ARMM, while Muslim areas voted for to be part of it.

Since Isabela is a chartered city with special privileges, it may not be included in the ARMM even if it is the capital of Basilan, he added.

The National Board of Canvassers will reconvene at 10 a.m. today after a two-day recess and resume the counting of certificates of canvass from Tuesday’s ARMM plebiscite.

Comelec Chairman Alfredo Benipayo said yesterday the plebiscite had only a 50 percent turnout. — With reports from Sandy Araneta, Marichu Villanueva