Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri addresses questions from the national media during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay in Malate, Manila on Sept. 25, 2024 regarding the severance of the Sulu province from the Bangsamoro region. (Hamdan Badrudin/BIO)
MALATE, MANILA—Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said Wednesday that the Sulu province may become part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) afresh through a legislative act of the Congress.
“If Sulu desires to be included in the BARMM again, they can go to the Senate and ask for the amendment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL),” said Sen. Zubiri during the ‘Kapihan sa Manila Bay’ on Sept. 25.
Under Section 1, Article XVII of the BOL, the governing law that created the BARMM, any amendment, revision, or repeal of the organic law shall be made through a law enacted by the Congress of the Philippines.
On Sept. 9, the Supreme Court ruled on the severance of the province of Sulu from the autonomous region, following the 2019 plebiscite, in which 54% of Sulu voters cast negative votes, resulting in its non-inclusion in the BARMM.
This version improves flow and clarifies that it was a ruling based on the plebiscite.
Consequences of the exclusion include, among others, the halting of the non-obligated infrastructure operations beyond Sept. 16 and the giving of salary to Sulu employees, which is subject to compliance with documentary requirements.
As to the status of the employees, it was announced last week that they will continue receiving their salaries for 2024, subject to the completion of required documentation. [Read related story: Over 5k BARMM employees in Sulu to continue receiving salaries in 2024 amid SC ruling]
Bangsamoro Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun mentioned that legal options regarding Sulu’s current legal status are being considered.
“Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim stated that the exclusion of Sulu from the BARMM shall be made less painful, especially when we speak of the region as a territory and governance. However, when we speak of Bangsamoro as an identity or part of the history, nothing can ever take away Sulu from it,” the Bangsamoro official added. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
