Lorenzana: Mayor Sayadi wants Cotabato City out of new Bangsamoro Region

Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi does not want the city to join the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region provided under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday.

Lorenzana, in an exclusive interview with GMA News resident political analyst Richard Heydarian for GMA News Online's FYI segment, said that Guiani-Sayadi fears that she would not have a chance for an elective post if the city votes to become a part of the new Bangsamoro Automous Region.

The plebiscite on the ratification on the BOL—which would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region governed by a Bangsamoro Parliament elected by the region’s inhabitants—is set for January 21 in as well as in Cotabato City and Isabela City in Basilan.

Those residing in Lanao del Norte except Iligan City and six North Cotabato municipalities, on the other hand, will vote on February 6, 2019.

“Si Mayor Sayadi, ayaw niya [bumoto para sa BOL]. She believes na pag nanalo 'yung yes, mama-marginalize siya,” Lorenzana said.

“Kalaban niya kasi sa pagka Mayor si [Maguindanao] Congresswoman Bai Sandra Sema na author ng BOL sa Congress,” Lorenzana added.

The BOL, which also grants the Bangsamoro Region five percent of the net national internal revenue collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs as block grant, on top of the at least P5 billion worth of Special Development Fund for the Bangsamoro Region every year for the next 10 years, starting 2019, is a product of the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the former separatist movement Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) inked in 2014.

Despite the dispute among local leaders, Lorenzana is optimistic that the yes vote will win.

“Ang lumalabas sa survey ngayon, mataas 'yung yes [to BOL] eh. Kaya we are also pinning our hopes on BOL, na matuloy ito, para the MILF can also help us police the area,” Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana expressed confidence that the MILF is ready to help govern the new Bangsamoro Region.

“The MILF is ready. These people went to college. They have also reached out to others who have experience in leadership, as well as accountants. I have also told them that I am from Mindanao and I am willing to help them,” Lorenzana added.

A blast rocked a Cotabato City mall in broad daylight last New Year's Eve, killing two and injuring 34 others. — BM, GMA News