MANILA, Philippines – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) leadership reaffirmed Sulu’s integral role in the region amid discussions on its political status following a Supreme Court decision that excluded the province from BARMM.
Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim underscored Sulu’s significance in the Bangsamoro struggle and governance. “We will always consider Sulu as part of the Bangsamoro. In our struggle and in all the activities of the Bangsamoro – Sulu is always part, a major part, of the Bangsamoro,” Ebrahim emphasized.
Ebrahim explained that the plebiscite is meant to gauge public sentiment regarding Sulu’s status. “Para makita natin kung ano ang pulso ng mga tao kasi kailangan natin yun,” he said.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, author of Senate Bill No. 2915, said the initiative was driven by the Supreme Court ruling that removed Sulu from BARMM. Acknowledging the province’s historical role in the autonomy movement, Zubiri stated, “I don’t think we can deny this – Sulu, historically, was the seat of the movement to secede from the Philippines. It started out with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). We came up with a peace process with the MNLF, and now with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). We embraced everybody – both the MNLF and MILF.”
Zubiri also highlighted the financial benefits of remaining within BARMM, particularly through the block grant system. “We want Sulu to still be part of the block grant. Ang laki ng block grant eh, that was about P80 billion. As a matter of fact, I think Sulu has about maybe 5,000 to 6,000 employees that are paid for by the BARMM government.”
He warned that Sulu could face financial difficulties outside BARMM, emphasizing that securing funding would become a challenge. “Sayang talaga yung pondo na matatanggap nila sa block grant,” he said.
Addressing Sulu’s local government officials led by Governor Abdusakur Tan, Zubiri cautioned that without BARMM’s block grant, Sulu would have to lobby separately for national government resources. “Pupunta na po kayo dito at, an honest-to-goodness practice, you’ll have to go now to see the senators, the congressmen, to lobby for scarce resources that we all know that every congressman of every district wants for themselves.”
Despite uncertainties surrounding Sulu’s re-inclusion, Ebrahim assured continued support for the province. “Even though wala pang final instruction kung ano ang gagawin, we continue yung mga services, we continue also yung mga budgeting for all the projects na andun sa Sulu,” he said.
Ebrahim also clarified that BARMM’s block grant would not be reduced regardless of Sulu’s status. “Kapag hindi na ma-admit ulit ang Sulu sa BARMM, yung block grant namin is the same amount. Kahit nawala ang Sulu, it (block grant) does not depend on area; it is a grant for the Bangsamoro Government. So yun pa rin ang magiging budget namin,” he explained.
Zubiri appealed to Sulu leaders to consider the long-term benefits of staying with BARMM. “I was hoping that we can appeal to our colleagues, particularly our brothers and sisters from Sulu. Sayang – nasasayangan talaga ako,” he said.
Accompanying Ebrahim during the discussions were other BARMM officials, including Interior and Local Government Minister Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, and members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament. The plebiscite’s outcome is expected to shape the political future of Sulu and its relationship with BARMM.
