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Maguindanao plebiscite slated

The Comelec decided to delay the referendum last year to give more time to prepare for the May 2022 national and local elections.

COTABATO CITY — The provincial government of Maguindanao disclosed that it has set aside a total of P100 million to fund the 17 September plebiscite to split the province into two.

This comes after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier set the referendum following the ratification of Republic Act 11550, which mandates the creation of two provinces upon approval by the majority of the votes cast by the voters in 36 municipalities of Maguindanao.

“The people will decide through the plebiscite whether to ratify or not the law creating Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte,” said provincial administrator Atty. Cyrus Torreña.

To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law on 27 May 2021. However, the Comelec decided to delay the referendum last year to give more time to prepare for the May 2022 national and local elections.

Under the law, Maguindanao del Norte will be composed of the towns of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura and Talitay.

Its seat of government will be Datu Odin Sinsuat town.

On the other hand, Maguindanao del Sur will be composed of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan and South Upi with the seat of government located at Buluan.

If the law is ratified, reelected Governor Bai Mariam Mangudadatu will act as governor of Maguindanao del Sur while Maguindanao vice governor-elect Bai Ainee Sinsuat will be named as governor of Maguindanao del Norte.

Torreña said the division of Maguindanao has many benefits particularly to Maguindanaons in far-flung areas.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2022/06/25/maguindanao-plebiscite-slated/

Comelec sets plebiscite for Maguindanao

Residents of Maguindanao will get a chance to vote in a plebiscite on Sept. 17 to decide whether to split their province into two or retain it as one. In a five-page resolution, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) set the guidelines for the voting to ratify Republic Act 11550, which President Duterte signed in May last year.

The law divides the province into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

Although the poll body was given only 90 days to hold a plebiscite, it decided to postpone the vote until after this year’s general elections to allow ample time for preparations.

Given this, the Comelec banned the appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of new positions, promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration or privileges until Sept. 16, or a day before the scheduled plebiscite.

It also gave the local Comelec office until Aug. 18 to post the computerized voters’ lists and constitute the members of the Municipal Plebiscite Board of Canvassers and their respective support staff.

They are also given until Aug. 25 to inspect polling places and create the Provincial Plebiscite Board of Canvassers.

The information and campaign period will run from Aug. 16 to Sept. 15. A gun ban will also be implemented from Aug. 16 to Sept. 24, the last day of the plebiscite period.

On plebiscite day, casting of votes will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The canvassing of votes and proclamation of plebiscite results will be held beginning 6 p.m.

A similar plebiscite was held in Palawan in March 2021, wherein a majority voted not to divide the province into three.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/06/25/2190691/comelec-sets-plebiscite-maguindanao