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19September
Bangsamoro Parliament to amend plebiscite process for new Maguindanao del Norte municipalities
- Sep 19, 2024
- Taher G. Solaiman
- HITS: 948
The Supreme Court ruled that Section 5 of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) regarding the plebiscite for the establishment of Nuling, Datu Sinsuat Balabaran, and Sheik Abas Hamza was flawed, as it excluded voters from the parent municipalities from participating.
In response, the Bangsamoro Government has introduced Parliament Bill Nos. 331, 332, and 333, proposing amendments to the challenged section. These bills aim to ensure a more inclusive process by allowing voters from both the new municipalities and their parent municipalities (Sultan Kudarat and Datu Odin Sinsuat) to participate in the plebiscite.
The proposed amendments are legally permissible under the separability clause of the original laws, ensuring that the remaining provisions remain in effect even if parts are deemed unconstitutional.
Deputy Speaker Lanang Ali Jr., who proposed the creation of the municipalities of Datu Sinsuat Balabaran and Sheik Abas Hamza, emphasized the importance of including all affected voters in the plebiscite process.
The bills, if passed, will require a plebiscite to be conducted within 60 days of their approval, allowing voters from both the new and parent municipalities to cast their ballots.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) had previously scheduled plebiscites for these municipalities, but they have been halted pending the resolution of the Supreme Court's ruling. The Parliament's proposed amendments aim to address this issue and ensure a fair and inclusive process for establishing these new municipalities.
The Bangsamoro Parliament will hold public hearings to discuss the proposed amendments with key stakeholders, ensuring transparency and inclusivity throughout the process.
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