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2024 Special Geographic Area plebiscites

On April 13, 2024, plebiscites were held in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of Bangsamoro in the Philippines to ratify Bangsamoro Acts No. 41–48, which proposed the creation of eight new municipalities out of the 63 barangays in the SGA.

2024 Special Geographic Area plebiscites
April 13, 2024 (2024-04-13)
Plebiscite to ratify Bangsamoro Acts No. 41–48
Map highlighting the barangays of the Special Geographic Area
OutcomeAll bills proposing the establishment of eight municipalities ratified

Background

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Area clusters and reorganization

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Further information: Special Geographic Area

In September 2019, there was a reported proposal to reorganize the Cotabato barangays into four municipalities through regional legislation and possibly annex them to the neighboring Maguindanao province. Pending the passage of the regional law, there is a plan by Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim to issue an executive order to group the barangays into eight clusters.[1] However, such a plan to form towns from the barangays was temporarily set aside, and it was decided that an administrative body be formed to oversee the barangays' affairs.[2]

Another proposal was to group the barangays into three municipalities instead of four. One of the proposed municipalities is Sultan Tambilawan, which is planned to consist of Midsayap's 13 barangays.[3]

The regional government would wait for the results of the 2020 census to determine the exact barangays that would be reorganized into new towns.[4]

By March 2020, the 63 barangays had already been grouped into a Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro region.[5] and eight area clusters were formed.[6]

Legislations

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On December 21, 2022, Parliament Bills No. 129 to 136 were filed in the Bangsamoro Parliament proposing the barangays be grouped into eight municipalities.[7][8]

On August 17, 2023, the bills consolidating the barangays into 8 municipalities were approved by the Bangsamoro Parliament,[9] Chief Minister Ebrahim signed the bills into law (Bangsamoro Act No. 41 to 48) on September 4, 2023.[10]

Proposed municipalities

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Proposed municipalities
Municipality[a] Barangays Legislation
 

Proposed municipalities that will be created from the special geographic area of Bangsamoro:

  Pahamuddin
  Kadayangan
  Nabalawag
  Old Kaabakan
  Kapalawan
  Malidegao
  Tugunan
  Ligawasan
Seat of government Other barangays PB No. BA No.
Pahamuddin Libungan Torreta
  • Balacayon
  • Buricain
  • Datu Binasing
  • Datu Mantil
  • Kadilingan
  • Lower Pangangkalan
  • Matilac
  • Patot
  • Upper Pangangkalan
  • Lower Baquer
  • Simsiman
 129 41
Kadayangan Kapinpilan
  • Central Labas
  • Malingao
  • Mudseng
  • Sambulawan
  • Tugal
  • Tumbras
 130 42
Nabalawag[b] Nabalawag
  • Damatulan
  • Kadigasan
  • Kadingilan
  • Kudarangan
  • Olandang
  • Dungguan
 131 43
Old Kaabakan[c] Pedtad or Nangaan
  • Buluan
  • Sanggadong
  • Simbuhay
  • Simone
  • Tamped
 132 44
Kapalawan Kitulaan
  • Kibayao
  • Langogan
  • Manarapan
  • Nasapian
  • Pebpoloan
  • Tupig
 133 45
Malidegao[d] Gokotan
  • Balungis
  • Batulawan
  • Fort Pikit
  • Nabundas
  • Nalapaan
  • Nunguan
 134 46
Tugunan Manaulanan
  • Balong
  • Bualan
  • Lagunde
  • Macabual
  • Macasendeg
  • Pamalian
  • Panicupan
  • Tapodoc
 135 47
Ligawasan Bagoinged
  • Barungis
  • Bulol
  • Buliok
  • Gli-Gli
  • Kabasalan
  • Rajamuda
 136 48

Conduct

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The Bangsamoro government planned to hold the plebiscite for the ratification of the bills alongside the 2023 Philippine barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30, 2023.[13] However, such plan was considered impossible by the Bangsamoro office of the Commission on Elections due to time constraints.[14][15]

The plebiscites were held on April 13, 2024.[16] COMELEC stated that there were 89,594 registered voters covering 189 clustered precincts in 67 voting centers.[17]

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity reported that the creation was declared ratified after the completion of canvassing at 9 pm. Reported voter turnout was 81.10%; while among the valid votes cast, 99.62% were in favor; only 27 participated voters abstained.[18][19]

The conduct of the plebiscites were declared as generally peaceful and orderly.[20] However it was noted that voter turnout in a barangay in Aleosan was affected by a clan feud, while in another barangay in Pigcawayan where a former Bangsamoro Transition Authority officer resides, more than half of the voters refuse to participate.[21]

Results

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2024 Special Geographic Area plebiscites
Choice Votes %
  Yes 72,358 99.62
No 273 0.38
Valid votes 72,631 99.96%
Invalid or blank votes 27 0.04%
Total votes 72,658 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 89,594 81.1%
Source: COMELEC[18]
Results per mother municipality
Mother municipality Yes No Valid votes Invalid votes Turnout Registered voters[22]
Total % Total % Total % Total % Total %
Aleosan 1,623 99.63% 6 0.37% 1,629 100% 0 0% 1,629 63.39% 2,570
Carmen 10,495 99.98% 2 0.02% 10,497 99.93% 7 0.07% 10,504 81.34% 12,913
Kabacan 6,611 99.94% 4 0.06% 6,615 100% 0 0% 6,615 86.88% 7,614
Midsayap 12,590 99.31% 88 0.69% 12,678 99.94% 7 0.06% 12,685 73.17% 17,337
Pigcawayan 5,974 98.1% 116 1.9% 6,090 99.85% 9 0.15% 6,099 64.09% 9,517
Pikit 35,065 99.84% 57 0.16% 35,122 99.99% 4 0.01% 35,126 88.61% 39,643
Results per proposed municipality[18]
Proposed municipality Yes No Valid votes Invalid votes Turnout Registered voters
Total % Total % Total % Total % Total %
Kadayangan 6,292 98.74% 80 1.26% 6,372 99.89% 7 0.11% 6,379 71.37% 8,938
Kapalawan 10,495 99.98% 2 0.02% 10,497 99.93% 7 0.07% 10,504 81.34% 12,913
Ligawasan 11,788 100% 0 0% 11,788 100% 0 0% 11,788 93.53% 12,603
Malidegao 12,255 99.64% 44 0.36% 12,299 99.97% 4 0.03% 12,303 79.28% 15,519
Nabalawag 7,442 99.81% 14 0.19% 7,456 100% 0 0% 7,456 72.01% 10,354
Old Kaabakan 6,611 99.94% 4 0.06% 6,615 100% 0 0% 6,615 86.88% 7,614
Pahamuddin 5,974 98.1% 116 1.9% 6,090 99.85% 9 0.15% 6,099 64.09% 9,517
Tugunan 11,501 99.89% 13 0.11% 11,514 11514% 0 0% 11,514 94.87% 12,136

Notes

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  1. ^ Names as stated in the final approved bills[11]
  2. ^ Previously proposed to be named as Kabalukan
  3. ^ Previously proposed to be named as Northern Kabacan or Laya[12]
  4. ^ Previously proposed to be named as Malmar or Madridagao[12]

References

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  1. ^ Macabalang, Ali (September 10, 2019). "63 brgys which voted to join BARMM to comprise 4 clustered municipalities". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  2. ^ Fernandez, Edwin (September 19, 2019). "BARMM shelves cluster plan for 63 NoCot villages". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  3. ^ Fuerzas, Garry (September 23, 2019). "Konsultasyon patuloy sa 63 brgys sa North Cotabato na sinakop ng BARMM" [Consultation continues with 63 barangays in North Cotabato absorbed by BARMM]. Bombo Radyo Philippines (in Tagalog). Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  4. ^ Solaiman, Taher (November 23, 2019). "Cotabato cedes 63 villages to Bangsamoro". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  5. ^ Fernandez, Edwin (March 21, 2020). "BARMM records 2 Covid-19 deaths, 2 infected". Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  6. ^ Fuerzas, Edgar (June 29, 2020). "Administrador sa mga barangay sa Barmm napili na" [The administrator of barangays in Barmm has been appointed]. Superbalita Davao. SunStar (in Cebuano).
  7. ^ Sahidala, Johaira (December 21, 2022). "Gov't of the Day files bills creating 8 municipalities in BARMM Special Geographic Area". Bangsamoro Information Office. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  8. ^ Cabrera, Ferdinandh (December 22, 2022). "Bills seek creation of eight municipalities in BARMM's Special Geographic Area". MindaNews. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  9. ^ "BARMM approves creation of 8 new towns". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  10. ^ Piatos, Tiziana Celine (April 14, 2024). "Marcos approves deputizing PNP, AFP for BARMM plebiscite". Daily Tribune. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  11. ^ "Bills creating 8 municipalities in SGA-BARMM approved by BTA Parliament". Luwaran. August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Constituents unite in support of establishing municipalities in BARMM Special Geographic Area". Bangsamoro Parliament. June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  13. ^ De La Cruz, Sheila Mae (August 19, 2023). "BARMM forms 8 towns out of Cotabato villages". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Cabrera, Ferdinandh (August 23, 2023). "Comelec-BARMM says it's too late to include SGA plebiscite during BSK elections". MindaNews. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  15. ^ Sumangil, Franz (August 25, 2023). "No go for plebiscite, BSKE on same date". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  16. ^ Fernandez, Edwin (January 18, 2024). "Creation of 32 Bangsamoro districts up for consultations". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  17. ^ Naval, Gerard (March 4, 2024). "Bangsamoro 'special geographic area' plebiscite: Nearly". Malaya Business Insight. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c Bolledo, Jairo (April 13, 2024). "BARMM residents approve creation of 8 more towns". Rappler. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  19. ^ Kabaganil, Lade Jean (April 14, 2024). "81% voter turnout on BARMM special geographic area plebiscite". Daily Tribune (Philippines). Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  20. ^ "Comelec: Barmm plebiscite peaceful, orderly". SunStar. SunStar Publishing. April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  21. ^ "Creation of 8 new towns in BARMM's SGA ratified". MindaNews. April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  22. ^ For figures on registered voters per mother municipality: Post from DXDN-FM Facebook page. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
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