Manila, Philippines — Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri has filed Senate Bill No. 2915 in a bid to allow the Province of Sulu to reconsider its inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The proposed measure, introduced during the 19th Congress, seeks to conduct a plebiscite that would give Sulu residents a chance to express their preference about rejoining the region.
The bill comes after the Supreme Court’s September 2024 decision which declared that Sulu is not a part of BARMM. This ruling was based on the 2019 plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), where the majority of Sulu voters rejected inclusion in the autonomous region. At the time, 137,630 residents voted in favor while 163,526 opposed it.
However, Senator Zubiri argues that much has changed since the 2019 decision. The BARMM, established under the BOL, has shown significant progress over the last six years. “BARMM is now one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, particularly in agriculture. Poverty incidence has dropped from 52.6% in 2018 to 23.5% in 2023,” Zubiri noted in the explanatory note accompanying the bill.
The measure proposes a 120-day timeline for the plebiscite from the time of its enactment, with funding for the exercise sourced from the Commission on Elections’ budget. Registered voters in Sulu will be eligible to participate, and the Commission will also consider a special voter registration if necessary.
Zubiri emphasized the importance of revisiting Sulu’s inclusion in BARMM to honor the constitutional provisions for autonomous regions. “The sentiments and aspirations of Sulu’s people should be reflected in a process that acknowledges the transformative experiences under the Bangsamoro Government,” he said.
The proposal also addresses administrative and governance challenges that arose after Sulu’s exclusion from BARMM. These include complications in service delivery and representation in the Bangsamoro Parliament, which is set to hold its first election in May 2025.
The Senate bill aligns with the broader goal of fostering peace and development in Mindanao, ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping their future. If enacted, it may mark a new chapter for Sulu and its relationship with BARMM.