2022 Maguindanao division plebiscite

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2021 Maguindanao division plebiscite
No later than September 9, 2022[1]
LocationMaguindanao, Philippines (excluding the independent city of Cotabato)
Maguindanao plebiscite map.svg
Results by municipality;
Yes:   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%
No:   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%
Map of Maguindanao divided into two: Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur

The Maguindanao division plebiscite will be held in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines within four months after the May 9, 2022, national and local elections, having been postponed[1] from its planned plebiscite in or before August 2021.[2][3] In terms of dates, the plebiscite is to be held no later than September 9.[1] As required by Republic Act No. 11550, it will be conducted to consent the residents of Maguindanao on the proposal to divide the province into two separate provinces which will be named Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.[4]

Background[]

Shariff Kabunsuan[]

Further information: Shariff Kabunsuan and 2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite

The traces of the proposed division goes back into the formation of Shariff Kabunsuan. Shariff Kabunsuan was established through Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201[5] by the former ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly. It was composed of 11 municipalities: Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Upi with Datu Odin Sinsuat as its designated capital. Cotabato City became part of Shariff Kabunsuan, but for geographical and statistical purposes only. However, the province was short-lived due to the Supreme Court case Sema v. COMELEC.[6] Citing the cause was that only Congress shall have the power to create legislative districts, and in turn, cities and provinces.[7]

Legislative history[]

Map of Shariff Kabunsuan

In 2017, former Congresswoman of 1st District of Maguindanao Bai Sandra Sema filed House Bill No. 5185 which seeks to divide Maguindanao into two: namely Maguindanao North and Maguindanao South.[8] It has the same composition of the former province of Shariff Kabunsuan with Datu Odin Sinsuat as its designated capital. However, it did not went past into the 17th Congress.

At the 18th Congress in August 2019, Maguindanao's 2nd congressional district representative Esmael Mangudadatu filed House Bill No. 3405 in order to create Maguindanao North. Its municipalities composed of former municipalities of Shariff Kabunsuan, along with Datu Anggal Midtimbang and Sultan Sumagka (Talitay). However, its designated capital was the municipality of Sultan Kudarat, which differed from the other bills filed.[9]

In September 2019, the current Congressman of 1st District of Maguindanao Datu Roonie Sinsuat Sr. filed House Bill No. 4840 in order to create Western Maguindanao. It was also composed of former municipalities of Shariff Kabunsuan, along with additional municipalities of Sultan Sumagka (Talitay) and South Upi.[10]

Consolidated as House Bill No. 6413, it became the final version of the act that splits Maguindanao into two: Northern Maguindanao and Southern Maguindanao. Northern Maguindanao consists of 12 municipalities:

Meanwhile, Southern Maguindanao consists of 24 municipalities:

Northern Maguindanao resembles the original territory of Shariff Kabunsuan with the addition of Sultan Sumagka. The final designated capital for Northern Maguindanao will be Datu Odin Sinsuat. The capital of Southern Maguindanao will be Buluan.[11] The bill was passed by the 18th Congress on February 27, 2020.[12][13]

Senator Francis Tolentino co-sponsored the House Bill into the Senate, citing the cause of better delivery of government services within the province. The same sentiment was also shared by Senator Miguel Zubiri.[14]

Preparation[]

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced that President Duterte signed into law the bill dividing Maguindanao on May 27, 2021.[3] The Maguindanao provincial government later stated that they have set aside 120 million pesos for the plebiscite, and that they were waiting for the Commission on Elections to set the day of the plebiscite.[15] However, the commission postponed the plebiscite to not later than September 9, 2022, or four months after the 2022 general election.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d De Leon, Dwight (August 19, 2021). "Comelec postpones Maguindanao plebiscite, 4 others to prep for 2022 polls". Rappler. Retrieved August 20, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Araja, Rio; Ramos-Araneta, Macon (October 27, 2020). "Maguindanao bills set to split province". Manila Standard. Retrieved March 28, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b Galvez, Daphne (May 27, 2021). "Duterte OKs bill splitting Maguindanao into two provinces". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  4. ^ Punzalan, Jamaine (May 27, 2021). "Duterte approves splitting Maguindanao into 2 provinces— spokesman". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  5. ^ "Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201" (PDF). The LawPhil Project. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  6. ^ Linto, Jose (July 17, 2008). "Supreme Court voids creation of Shariff Kabunsuan". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Aning, Jerome (July 18, 2008). "(CORRECTED) SC zaps Kabunsuan; RP down to 80 provinces". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on July 29, 2008. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  8. ^ Sema, Bai Sandra Sinsuat A. (March 2, 2017). "House Bill No. 5185 – An Act Creating the Province of Maguindanao North" (PDF). Congress of the Philippines. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  9. ^ Mangudadatu, Esmael "Toto". "House Bill No. 3405" (PDF). congress.gov.ph. House of Representatives. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  10. ^ Sinsuat, Datu Roonie Sr. "House Bill No. 4840" (PDF). congress.gov.ph. House of Representatives. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  11. ^ "House Bill No. 6413" (PDF). congress.gov.ph. House of Representatives. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 13, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  12. ^ Villanueva, Noel. "Committee Report No. 249" (PDF). congress.gov.ph. House of Representatives. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 13, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  13. ^ Unson, John (June 3, 2020). "House OKs bill splitting Maguindanao into 2 provinces". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  14. ^ "Senate approves three bills creating more legislative districts". CNN Philippines. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  15. ^ "P120M readied for plebiscite on law dividing Maguindanao". INQUIRER.net. 2021-07-17. Archived from the original on 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2021-11-30.

External links[]

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