2021 Maguindanao division plebiscite

Last updated
2021 Maguindanao division plebiscite
In or before August 2021

Location Maguindanao, 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 Ph fil Maguindanao division proposal.png
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 in or before August 2021. [1] [2] As required by Republic Act No. 11550, the plebiscite 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. [3]

Contents

Background

Shariff Kabunsuan

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 [4] 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. [5] Citing the cause was that only Congress shall have the power to create legislative districts, and in turn, cities and provinces. [6]

Legislative history

Map of Shariff Kabunsuan ShariffKab.jpg
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. [7] 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 is the municipality of Sultan Kudarat, which differs from the other bills filed. [8]

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 is also composed of former municipalities of Shariff Kabunsuan, along with additional municipalities of Sultan Sumagka (Talitay) and South Upi. [9]

Consolidated as House Bill No. 6413, it is 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 the rest of Maguindanao. The final designated capital for Northern Maguindanao will be Datu Odin Sinsuat. The capital of Southern Maguindanao will be Buluan. [10] The bill was passed by the 18th Congress on February 27, 2020. [11] [12]

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 is also shared by Senator Miguel Zubiri. [13]

Related Research Articles

Maguindanao Province in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines

Maguindanao is a province in the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Since 2014 the provincial capital is Buluan but the legislative branch of the provincial government, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, convenes in the old provincial capitol in the town of Sultan Kudarat. It borders Lanao del Sur to the north, Cotabato to the east, Sultan Kudarat to the south, and the Illana Bay to the west.

Cotabato City Independent component city in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines

Cotabato City, officially the City of Cotabato, is a 3rd class independent component city in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 325,079,  making it as the most populated city under the independent component city status.

Ampatuan, Maguindanao Municipality in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines

Ampatuan, officially the Municipality of Ampatuan, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 28,941 people. 

Buluan Municipality in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines

Buluan, officially the Municipality of Buluan, is a 4th class municipality and executive capital of the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 57,406 people. 

Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipality in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines

Datu Odin Sinsuat, officially the Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 116,768 people. 

Shariff Aguak Municipality in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines

Shariff Aguak, officially the Municipality of Shariff Aguak, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 33,982 people. 

Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Municipality in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines

Sultan Kudarat, officially the Municipality of Sultan Kudarat, is a 1st class municipality and legislative capital of the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 105,121 people. 

Sultan Sumagka Municipality in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines

Sultan Sumagka, officially the Municipality of Sultan Sumagka, is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 17,463 people. 

Sultan Mastura Municipality in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines

Sultan Mastura, officially the Municipality of Sultan Mastura, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 25,331 people. 

The legislative districts of Maguindanao are the representations of the province of Maguindanao and the independent component city of Cotabato in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province and the city are currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through their first and second congressional districts.

The legislative districts of Cotabato are the representations of the province of Cotabato in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first, second, and third congressional districts.

Shariff Kabunsuan Former province of the Philippines

Shariff Kabunsuan was a short-lived province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that existed from 2006 to 2008. Its designated seat of government was Datu Odin Sinsuat. Initially comprising ten municipalities carved out of Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan was created by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201; this law was nullified by the Supreme Court of the Philippines in 2008, thus disestablishing the province.

The Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite was a plebiscite on the creation of the Province of Shariff Kabunsuan in the Philippines. The plebiscite was conducted on October 28, 2006 and results were announced on October 31, 2006.

Datu Blah T. Sinsuat Municipality in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines

Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, officially the Municipality of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 28,243 people. 

<i>Sema v. COMELEC and Dilangalen</i> Philippine legal case

Sema v. COMELEC and Dilangalen is a court case that was ruled on by the Supreme Court of the Philippines on 16 July 2008. It was consolidated with Marquez v. COMELEC. It held that the Regional Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao does not have the power to create provinces and cities. Thus, the creation of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan was unconstitutional ab initio and that province no longer exists as a political entity in the Philippines. All its employees and officials, elected or otherwise, were declared as not holding validly created offices.

Confederation of sultanates in Lanao Confederation of Sultanates in the Lanao province of Southern Philippines, Mindanao Island - founded in 1616 CE

The Sultanates of Lanao in Mindanao, Philippines were founded in the 16th century through the influence of Shariff Kabungsuan, who was enthroned as first Sultan of Maguindanao in 1520. The Maranaos of Lanao were acquainted with the sultanate system when Islam was introduced to the area by Muslim missionaries and traders from the Middle East, Indian and Malay regions who propagated Islam to Sulu and Maguindanao.

Tucao Mastura Filipino politician

Datu Tucao Ong Mastura is an influential Filipino politician. He is the younger brother of the well known lawyer, historian, professor and former Maguindanao First District and Cotabato City Congressman Datu Michael Mastura, and an older brother of Mayor Datu Armando Mastura of Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao.

Sarangani–Sultan Kudarat Coastal Road

The Sarangani–Sultan Kudarat Coastal Road or Awang–Upi–Lebak–Kalamansig–Palimbang–Sarangani Road is a 323-kilometre, two-to-four lane national secondary road, connecting the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and South Cotabato. It starts from Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao and ends at General Santos in South Cotabato.

Maguindanaos 1st congressional district

Maguindanao's 1st congressional district is one of the two congressional districts of the Philippines in the province of Maguindanao. It has been represented in the House of Representatives since 1987. The district stretches along the Moro Gulf coast of western Maguindanao and includes Cotabato City, an independent port city. Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura and Upi are the district's constituent municipalities. From 2006 to 2008, the district was briefly replaced by the lone district of Shariff Kabunsuan, a short-lived province that was carved out of the same area in Maguindanao and which was eventually nullified by the Supreme Court. It is currently represented in the 18th Congress by Datu Roonie Q. Sinsuat of the PDP–Laban.

Maguindanaos 2nd congressional district District in the Philippines

Maguindanao's 2nd congressional district is one of the two congressional districts of the Philippines in the province of Maguindanao. It has been represented in the House of Representatives since 1987. The district covers 25 interior municipalities of eastern Maguindanao bordering the provinces of Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, including its capital Buluan. From 2006 to 2008, the district was briefly replaced by the lone district of Maguindanao after a new province was carved out of the 1st district known as Shariff Kabunsuan which was eventually nullified by the Supreme Court. It is currently represented in the 18th Congress by Esmael Mangudadatu of the PDP–Laban.

References

  1. Araja, Rio; Ramos-Araneta, Macon (October 27, 2020). "Maguindanao bills set to split province". Manila Standard. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  2. Galvez, Daphne (May 27, 2021). "Duterte OKs bill splitting Maguindanao into two provinces". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  3. Punzalan, Jamaine (May 27, 2021). "Duterte approves splitting Maguindanao into 2 provinces— spokesman". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  4. "Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201" (PDF). The LawPhil Project. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  5. Linto, Jose (July 17, 2008). "Supreme Court voids creation of Shariff Kabunsuan". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  6. 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.
  7. 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. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  8. Mangudadatu, Esmael "Toto". "House Bill No. 3405" (PDF). congress.gov.ph. House of Representatives. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  9. Sinsuat, Datu Roonie Sr. "House Bill No. 4840" (PDF). congress.gov.ph. House of Representatives. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  10. "House Bill No. 6413" (PDF). congress.gov.ph. House of Representatives. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  11. Villanueva, Noel. "Committee Report No. 249" (PDF). congress.gov.ph. House of Representatives. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  12. Unson, John (June 3, 2020). "House OKs bill splitting Maguindanao into 2 provinces". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  13. "Senate approves three bills creating more legislative districts". CNN Philippines. March 9, 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.