MAGUINDANAO will be no more and will now be the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
Voters in the plebiscite conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last Saturday overwhelmingly approved the split of the province as provided under Republic Act No. 11550.
Based on the official results announced by the Plebiscite Provincial Board of Canvassers (PPBOC) on Sunday, the “yes” votes, or those in favor of splitting Maguindanao province, totaled 706,558 (99.27%).
On the other hand, those who voted “no,” or those who want Maguindanao to stay as a single province, reached only 5,209 (0.73%) votes.
“Resoundingly, the creation of the two provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur had long been hoped for by the Maguindanaoans and their elected leaders,” said Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco in a statement.
“This dream has now become a reality with the success of the plebiscite and the ratification of Republic Act No. 11550,” he added.
With the plebiscite results, Maguindanao del Norte will be composed of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Talitay.
Under Maguindanao del Sur are Ampatuan, Buluan, 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 Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, and South Upi.
According to Laudiangco, the voter turnout in the Maguindanao plebiscite is one of the highest in the country’s history, with 711,767 out of the 818,790 registered voters participating in the exercise, or an 86.93 percent voter turnout.
“The Maguindanao plebiscite has the 2nd highest voter turn-out in a province-wide plebiscite based on percentage, as the 1st is the creation of the province of Compostela Valley from the province of Davao del Norte on March 7, 1998 with 89.73%,” said Laudiangco.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said the high turnout can only be credited to high public confidence in the system.
“People are not afraid to cast their votes. They trust the process so much,” said Garcia.
PEACEFUL
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr said last Saturday’s plebiscite in Maguindanao was generally peaceful and orderly.
Azurin said election paraphernalia were delivered as scheduled, polling precincts opened on time, and no plebiscite-related incidents were recorded.
He also said that security processes and protocols were implemented in an organized manner and COVID-19 health protocols were enforced and observed during the event.
A total of 2,377 policemen were deployed to perform plebiscite-related duties, of which 1,116 were tasked to guard 461 polling centers while the rest secured convoys transporting paraphernalia needed in the plebiscite and vital facilities, and manned checkpoints, among other functions. — With Victor Reyes
