By Jim Lloyd Dongiapon
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An overwhelming majority of Maguindanaons have voted to ratify Republic Act (RA) No. 11550, the law that split the now-defunct Maguindanao province into two new provinces, Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, during the plebiscite held yesterday, September 17.
Based on the Final and Official Provincial Canvass of Votes, 711,767, or 86.93% of the registered voters in Maguindanao, have participated in the plebiscite. This is 20 percent more than the expected turnout of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
Of the total number of votes cast, 706,558, or 99.27 percent, voted in favor of dividing Maguindanao, while only 5,209, or 0.73 percent, voted against it.
The COMELEC Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) began the canvassing in Buluan yesterday evening but suspended it the same night as certificates of canvass from several towns were yet to arrive.
However, the canvassing resumed on Sunday morning, September 18, and the official proclamation by the PBOC was made in the afternoon of the same day.
COMELEC Spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco noted that the Maguindanao division plebiscite had yielded the second-highest voter turnout among province-wide plebiscites, only behind the March 7, 1998 Compostela Valley (now Davao de Oro) creation plebiscite, which had a turnout of 89.73 percent.
Following the ratification of RA 11550, there will be a 60-day transition period. Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur will establish their own provincial government agencies. They will also form their respective provincial boards, which will serve in an interim capacity until the next regular elections in 2025.
Maguindanao del Norte is composed of 12 towns: Datu Odin Sinsuat (capital), Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Sultan Sumagka (Talitay), and Upi.
On the other hand, Maguindanao del Sur has 24 municipalities: Buluan (capital), Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Sultan sa Barongis, South Upi, and Talayan.
Incumbent Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Mangudadatu will now serve as governor of Maguindanao del Sur, while incumbent Maguindanao Vice Governor Bai Ainee Sinsuat will now become the Acting Governor of Maguindanao del Norte pending formal elections.