Wikipedia

2019 Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite

The 2019 Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite was a two-part plebiscite held in Mindanao, Philippines, that ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as well as the scope of the said region.

2019 Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite
January 21 and February 6, 2019
Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Plebiscite
Outcome
  • Bangsamoro Organic Law ratified creating the Bangsamoro
    • Sulu province also included as part of the Bangsamoro despite voters rejecting the BOL. Sulu was later ruled not part of Bangsamoro by the Supreme Court in 2024.
  • Cotabato City approved inclusion to the Bangsamoro
  • 63 barangays in Cotabato approved and allowed inclusion to the Bangsamoro
  • Isabela, Basilan rejected inclusion to the Bangsamoro
  • 6 Lanao del Norte towns disallowed inclusion to the Bangsamoro
Results
Choice
 Votes %
Yes 1,540,017 88.57%
No 198,750 11.43%
Valid votes 1,738,767 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00%
Total votes 1,738,767 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 1,980,441 87.8%
Cotabato City joining the Bangsamoro
For
 
 59.48%
Against
 
 40.52%
Isabela City joining the Bangsamoro
For
 
 45.89%
Against
 
 54.11%
Results by locality
Yes:   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%
No:   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%
Figures above only show votes for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and excludes votes to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Map shows the results of the first round of the plebiscite. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao voted for the ratification of the BOL, and Cotabato City (inset) voted for the inclusion to the BARMM, while Isabela City in Basilan voted against. Note that voters in the rest of Basilan had to consent for Isabela to be included in the BARMM aside from voters in Isabela City itself. Results are unofficial results.

Under the organic law, the government would have to hold the plebiscite not more than 150 days from the signing of the BOL into law (July 26, 2018) but not earlier than 90 days from the law's signing.[1] The first part of the plebiscite was held on January 21, 2019, where voters from the ARMM voted regarding the BOL's ratification and residents of Cotabato City and Isabela City voted for or against their cities' inclusion into the then-proposed region. The second part was held on February 6 to potentially expand the BARMM; with voters from six municipalities in Lanao del Norte and 67 barangays in Cotabato province voting for or against their localities' inclusion into the BARMM.

On January 25, 2019, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that the BOL was "deemed ratified" after results in the first part of the plebiscite showed majority support for the law's ratification. The election body also officially announced that majority of voters in Cotabato City voted in favor of joining the then-proposed autonomous region while voters of Isabela City rejected their inclusion. During the February 6 referendum, however, 63 of the 67 Cotabato barangays, and 9 of 22 towns in Lanao del Norte saw voters in favor of joining the then-proposed region.[2][3][4][5] Despite the fact that the six municipalities in Lanao del Norte which petitioned to join were among the 9 voting in favor of inclusion,[5] a majority of support was required from not only from voters in the individual municipality, but also from voters throughout the rest of the province as well. As a result, no municipality in Lanao del Norte joined the autonomous region.[6] All of the barangays in Cotabato province which saw voters vote in favor of joining, however, joined the region as well.[2][4]

On September 9, 2024, the Supreme Court of the Philippines upheld the validity of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, but declared unconstitutional the provision that considered the provinces of the former ARMM to be one unit for purposes of determining ratification. Because majority of the voters of the province of Sulu rejected the ratification of the law in the plebiscite, it was declared to be not part of the BARMM.[7]

Scope

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Bangsamoro 'core' territory

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Voters in localities referred to as the core territory of the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region were eligible to participate in the plebiscite.[8] The core territory covers:

Voters in the whole provinces of Lanao del Norte and Cotabato also had to vote if they consented to a locality's secession from the regions of their parent provinces (Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen, respectively) to join the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Other areas

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Additionally, adjacent local government units bordering the localities above could opt for inclusion in the plebiscite through their local governments or a petition by its registered voters. The Comelec released guidelines regarding this concern on October 22, 2018 and gave local government units seeking this course of action until October 31, 2018 to comply. Voters or the local government of the petitioning locality had to pay a ₱10,000 filing fee and a ₱100 research fee as imposed by the election body.[9]

A total of 62 localities was initially announced to have made bids to participate in the plebiscite, although not all of them were contiguous to the defined Bangsamoro core territory. Fifty-six of these petitions were initiated by local governments while six were made by registered voters of the petitioning localities. The Comelec planned to decide on all of these petitions initially by mid-November 2018[8] but later moved their target to December 15, 2018.[10] Due to the large number of petitions, the Comelec decided on December 7, 2018 to schedule the planned plebiscite on two separate dates (January 21 and February 6, 2019) stating that they could not process all petitions by December 15 with localities with successful petitions taking part in the February vote.[11][10]

A total of 103 petitions were filed, but only 28 were accepted. Petitions not accepted were either due to the petitioning locality not being adjacent to the defined core territory of the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region or failure to submit sufficient requirements for their bid to get included in the plebiscite. Voters from the 28 accepted barangays were permitted to participate in the February polling.[12][13]

Approved additional areas

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By early January 2019, the Comelec has approved the petition of 20 barangays in Cotabato:[14]

  • Aleosan (1) — Pagangan
  • Carmen (5) — Pebpoluan, Kibayao, Kitulaan, Tupig, and Langogan
  • Pigcawayan (4) — Libungan Torreta, Pangankalan, Datu Mantil, and Simsiman
  • Pikit (10) — Rajahmuda, Barungis, Gli-Gli, Nalapaan, Panicupan, Bualan, Nabundas, Nunguan, Manaulanan, and Bulol

On January 11, 2019, the Comelec announced the final list of additional participating localities for the plebiscite. The petitions of eight more barangays, all from Cotabato, were approved by the election body.[12][13]

  • Pikit (2) — Pamalian and Fort Pikit
  • Kabacan (4) — Pedtad, Buluan, Simone, and Tamped
  • Midsayap (1) — Tumbras
  • Tulunan (1) — Galidan

Unapproved petitions

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At least twelve localities in Zamboanga del Sur filed petitions for their participation in the plebiscite.[15] Three island barangays of Zamboanga City also reportedly filed petitions, a supposed move which was condemned by city mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco.[16] The barangay captains of the three Zamboanga City barangays later denied filing petitions.[17]

Preparations

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Voters' registration

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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) conducted a three-day satellite voter registration in select venues in the constituent provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as well as in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Cotabato, and in the cities of Cotabato and Isabela, Basilan from September 11 to 13, 2018. Alongside with voter's registration, residents were able to transfer, reactivate, or correct their registration, as well as have their records included or reinstated. Those who had registered for the most recent barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan elections were not required to undergo the registration process.[18] Fifteen satellites centers were set by the Comelec, one of which was in a camp controlled by the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which played a major part in the conception of the BOL. MILF members were also among those who registered for the plebiscite, some of whom lacked government-issued IDs such as birth certificates. Despite this, their own self-issued identification documents were accepted as valid IDs for the purpose of registration.[19]

The Comelec recorded a total of 2,839,659 registered voters from 3,273 in certain areas in Mindanao and expected a 75% turn-out for the vote.[20]

Campaign and plebiscite period

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President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at the Peace Assembly for the Ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex Compound in Cotabato City on January 18, 2019.

The campaign period for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region creation plebiscite began on December 7, 2018[21] and ended on January 19, 2019, while the plebiscite period was scheduled to be held between December 7, 2018 to February 5, 2019. The voting for the plebiscite took place on January 21, 2019 as per an en banc decision by the Commission on Elections.[22]

During the campaign period, a gun ban was imposed in localities set to participate in the plebiscite. During the same period, the following acts were also prohibited: the establishment of a new voting precinct or alteration of the territory of an existing one, the transfer or detail of officers and civil service employees, the organization and maintenance of "strike forces" or similar entities, and the suspension of any elective public official from the barangay to the provincial level including elective officials in independent cities.[23]

The Comelec was also tasked to aid in holding information campaigns in every participating local government unit as well as allow the conduct of information dissemination and public advocacy events by other government agencies, non-government organizations and private individuals in relation to the plebiscite. Every barangay was also directed to hold at least one assembly during the campaign period informing constituents on matters regarding the BOL.[23]

On January 6, 2019, a rally was organized in Jolo, Sulu as an expression of support to the ratification of the BOL which was attended by former Sulu governor Benjamin Loong as well as former and incumbent mayors of some of the towns of Sulu. Similar actions were planned in Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and other parts of Sulu.[24]

There was also reluctance or opposition against the ratification of the BOL. In Basilan, officials of Isabela City actively campaigned against their city's inclusion in the proposed region.[25] ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman allayed concerns of Christians living in the city regarding potential marginalization should their city become part of the new autonomous region reasoning that the neighboring town of Lamitan has been governed by Christians despite being part of the ARMM.[26] Hataman also said that Christian practices such as fiestas and eating pork would not be made illegal should the BOL be ratified contrary to what people against the legislation is saying in their campaign.[27] Basilan Governor Jim Hataman on his part claimed that the BOL is a "sure win" in his province.[26] Meanwhile, Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayad expressed reservations on the potential inclusion of her city in the proposed region.[28]

In Sulu, Governor Abdusakur Tan Sr. was against the ratification of the BOL and questioned the law's constitutionality at the Supreme Court.[29] However, some Sulu leaders voiced support for the law.[30]

The provincial government of Lanao del Norte campaigned for a "No" vote since it opposed the inclusion of six of its municipalities in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo as well as her husband Abdullah and son Mohammad Khalid, who were both members of the House of Representatives lead the provincial government's campaign. Abdullah Makapaar, the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's North Western Mindanao Command, campaigned for a "Yes" vote – promising to double the salary of teachers and the establishment of orphanage centers in the province.[31]

Question

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Ballot paper samples for the plebiscite from left to right: For voters in the ARMM except Basilan, Isabela City in Basilan, the rest of Basilan, and Cotabato City

The crafting of the questions to be use in the plebiscite by the Comelec was already being finalized by mid-September 2018.[32]

In October 2018, it was reported that in the defined core territories of the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, voters will be asked to answer "Yes" or "No" if they approve the Bangsamoro Organic Law or not while in surrounding areas and non-core areas, voters will be presented a "two-folded" question.[33]

The plebiscite questions were in Arabic and Filipino; both languages were used in the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao areas while only Filipino was used in the rest of the plebiscite's scope. No ballots with English questions were printed.[34]

Voters in the existing ARMM had to answer one question:[20]

In Filipino:

"Payag ba kayo na pagtibayin ang Batas Republika Blg. 11054 na kilala din bilang "Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao"?

In Arabic:

ه‍ل أنت توُد الموافقة على القرار الجمه‍ورى رقم ١١٠٥٤ المعروف باسم: "القانون العضوى للحكم الذاتى امنطقة بانجسامورو فى مسلمى مينداناو".

English translation:

Are you willing to adopt the Republic Act No. 11054 also known as "Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao"?

Voters in Basilan were asked whether they wanted to include the city of Isabela in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in addition to the question above regarding their stance on the ratification of the BOL. The question was presented as follows:

In Filipino:

"Payag ba kayo na isama ang Lungsod Isabela, Basilan sa Rehiyong Awtonomo ng Bangsamoro?"

In Arabic:

هل انت توافق على ادراج مدينة ايسابيلا، باسيلان فى الحكم الداتى لمنطقة بانجسامورو؟

English Translation:

"Are you willing to include the city of Isabela, Basilan in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region?"

Voters in the cities of Isabela and Cotabato were asked one question: whether or not they were in favor of their locality's inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.[35]

Organization

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Voters look for their names inside Basak Malutlut Elementary School in Marawi during the January 21 plebiscite.

The Comelec held a simulation of the plebiscite on October 23, 2018 at its main office in Intramuros, Manila.[33] Ballot printing started on December 7, 2018 and lasted for three days. Around 2.8 million ballots were printed.[34][36]

The plebiscite was originally planned to be held at a single date on January 21, 2019. However the Comelec announced on December 7, 2018 that the plebiscite would be held in two separate days instead; on January 21 and February 6, 2019.[37] The election body reasoned that the move was to allow the resolution of pending petitions for voluntary inclusion of additional local government units in the plebiscite.[11]

Voters in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao including Cotabato City and Isabela City in Basilan would take part in the January 21 vote while the rest of the named participating localities in the BOL as well as additional localities which successfully petitioned for their inclusion would take part in the February 6 vote.[11]

For both dates, the Comelec had allotted eight hours of voting. Voting was set to start at 8:00 a.m. (UTC+8) and close at 3:00 p.m. Voters within 30 metres (98 ft) of the polling area would still be allowed to vote past 3:00 p.m. Voting was to be done manually with the ballot containing questions answerable by "yes" or "no" in English or its equivalent in Filipino or any other indigenous Philippine languages.[38] Answers made with any other mark such as a check, a cross, or a thumb mark were not accepted as valid.[39]

At least 25 international observers were permitted to oversee the plebiscite in order to establish credibility of the plebiscite. A few restrictions and regulations were to be imposed such as the requirement for the observer to identify themselves to election authorities at the site and for them to provide copies of their report to the government. They would not be allowed to interfere in the process of the plebiscite itself. Their reports would also be used by the Comelec as a reference to improve the process of future elections and plebiscites.[40]

Budget

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It was estimated that the plebiscite would require ₱857 million pesos. By mid-September 2018, the proposed national budget for 2019 still did not include the budget for the January 2019 plebiscite.[41]

In an event that the Congress failed to appropriate part of the 2019 national budget for the holding of the plebiscite, it was proposed that funds acquired by Comelec in the 2018 barangay elections be used to partially satisfy the financial needs of the plebiscite.[41]

By November 2018, budget for the plebiscite had been allocated. The Department of Budget and Management stated that the funds would be drawn from the fund allocation of the Comelec.[42]

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Governor Abdusakur Tan II, the provincial governor of Sulu questioned the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law before the Supreme Court of the Philippines through a petition filed in October 2018. He asked the high court to rule the BOL unconstitutional and for the stoppage of the planned plebiscite. According to the petition, the BOL which sought to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region was illegal, citing a view that the constitution provided for only one organic act for the establishment of an autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao. It also argued that only a constitutional amendment could legally abolish the ARMM and not legislation by the congress. In addition, it questioned the provision that the ARMM would be considered as "one geographical area" for the purpose of the plebiscite as well as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's lead role in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission to the prejudice of other Muslims who are affiliated with other rebel groups and non-Muslims.[43]

The Philippine Constitutional Association (Philconsa) also filed a similar petition against the BOL while an intervention was filed by the Philippine Association of Islamic Accountants (PAIA) seeking for the dismissal of the two petitions filed by the Philconsa and the Sulu provincial government. The two petitions were ordered to be consolidated by the Supreme Court on January 8, 2019. Associate Justice Mario Victor Leonen would handle the cases.[44]

Opinion polling

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The International Alert (IA) conducted a survey in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with 614 respondents aged 18–35 regarding their position on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region creation plebiscite. Of the respondents, 89.4 percent reported that they would vote in favor of the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, while 2.5 percent said that they would vote against; the rest were unsure. However, in the same survey, respondents in the Sulu archipelago were largely undecided compared to their counterparts in mainland Mindanao.[45]

Results

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Map showing the results of the January 21, 2019 plebiscite.

Ratification of the BOL

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On January 25, the Commission on Elections, as the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers, declared the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), after a majority of votes from the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) approved its creation.[46]

2019 Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite
Choice Votes %
  Yes 1,540,017 88.57
No 198,750 11.43
Total votes 1,738,767 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 1,980,441 87.80
Source: COMELEC
Bangsamoro autonomy plebiscite results (excluding invalid votes)
For
1,540,017 (88.6%)
▲
50%
Summary of results – On ratification of the BOL
Province Yes No Valid votes Registered
voters 		Ratified?
Total % Total % Total %
Basilan (excluding Isabela) 147,598 95.79% 6,486 4.21% 154,084 80.73% 190,861 —
Lanao del Sur 503,420 98.10% 9,735 1.90% 513,155 92.54% 554,552
Maguindanao 599,581 98.51% 9,096 1.49% 608,677 93.61% 650,244
Sulu 137,630 45.70% 163,526 54.30% 301,156 80.29% 375,087
Tawi-Tawi 151,788 93.87% 9,907 6.13% 161,695 77.11% 209,697
Total 1,540,017 88.57% 198,750 11.43% 1,738,767 87.80% 1,980,441 Yes

On the ratification of the BARMM from the then components of the ARMM, the entire ARMM voted as one; therefore, Sulu's rejection of the BARMM originally did not remove them from the BARMM, and they were thus included. The Supreme Court then nullified Sulu's inclusion in the Bangsamoro in a 2024 decision.[47]

Inclusion to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region

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Cotabato City and Isabela, Basilan

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Residents of Cotabato City and Isabela City, the latter of which is part of Basilan province but not the ARMM, voted on January 21 regarding their inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Isabela being a part of Basilan province, the residents of the other towns of Basilan had to consent if they were in favor of Isabela's potential inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Cotabato City, as an independent component city, only needed a majority of its voters to vote in favor or against.

On January 25, the Commission on Elections, as the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers, announced that a majority of voters in Cotabato City voted in favor of inclusion in the BARMM. In Isabela City, a majority of voters rejected their city's inclusion in the proposed BARMM while a majority of voters in the rest of the province agreed to the potential inclusion. Lacking a double majority, Isabela remains a part of the Zamboanga Peninsula region.[46]

Summary of results – On joining the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
City City results Consent from mother province Included?
Yes No Valid votes Registered
voters 		Yes No Valid votes Registered
voters
Total % Total % Total % Total % Total % Total %
Isabela City (Basilan) 19,032 45.89% 22,441 54.11% 41,473 58.31% 71,124 144,640 94.46% 8,487 5.54% 153,127 80.23% 190,861 No
Cotabato City 36,682 59.48% 24,994 40.52% 58,806[a] 51.70% 113,751 — Yes
Turnout 100,279 54.24% 184,875 153,127 80.23% 190,861
  1. ^ Initial tabulation showed that there were 39,027 votes cast, clearly less than the sum of the votes for and against, which was 61,676. The COMELEC ordered for a retabulation of the vote.[48] The COMELEC blamed clerical error for the discrepancy.[49] The COMELEC confirmed the inclusion of Cotabato City in Bangsamoro.[50] The Supreme Court in 2023 then affirmed the city's inclusion.[51]

Municipalities in Lanao del Norte

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A majority of voters in the six Lanao del Norte towns voted in favor of their municipality's inclusion in the Bangsamoro, and in the cases of Munai and Tangcal, overwhelmingly, to join the BARMM.

Like in the case of Isabela in Basilan, the six towns' inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region also needed consent from the rest of the towns in Lanao del Norte. Each town needed to secure consent individually. The city of Iligan, a highly urbanized city not under the jurisdiction of Lanao del Norte, did not participate in the plebiscite.

The other towns in Lanao del Norte rejected to allow the towns petitioning to be a part of the BARMM from joining. Because of this, the six towns that voted in favor of their inclusion would not join the proposed region.[52] The Dimaporos, holders of the top elective positions in the province, were against their towns joining the Bangsamoro (although supported the creation of it) and campaigned against the measure.[53]

Summary of results – On joining the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
Municipality Municipality results Consent from mother province Included?
Yes No Total Yes No Total
Total % Total % Total % Total %
Balo-i 8,533 73.74% 3,038 26.26% 11,571 73,164 32.13% 154,553 67.87% 227,717 No
Munai 10,765 99.96% 4 0.04% 10,769 71,148 31.05% 158,025 68.95% 229,173 No
Nunungan 1,802 64.22% 1,004 35.78% 2,806 79,935 33.79% 156,630 66.21% 236,565 No
Pantar 7,840 96.84% 256 3.16% 8,096 73,992 32.93% 150,705 67.07% 224,697 No
Tagoloan 2,760 66.78% 1,373 33.22% 4,133 78,849 33.49% 156,605 66.51% 235,454 No
Tangcal 6,276 100.00% 0 0.00% 6,276 75,364 32.38% 157,417 67.62% 232,781 No
Turnout 6 municipalities 43,651 Rest of Lanao del Norte 242,667 68.84%

Barangays in Cotabato

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Out of 67 barangays of Cotabato that were included in the plebiscite, all but one voted for inclusion, but three did not get consent from its mother municipality to join Bangsamoro. The barangay that rejected inclusion was allowed by its mother municipality to join. The four that were not included are Galidan in Tulunan, Balatican in Pikit, and Pagangan and Lower Mingading in Aleosan; these four would not be joining the BARMM.[54]

In Pikit, only one barangay that voted in the plebiscite declined to join, which was Balatican. The 22 barangays that voted to join the BARMM included Barangay Fort Pikit, which was the site of the Municipal Hall. The municipal government declared that they would ask that the hall and adjacent plaza be annexed by neighboring Barangay Poblacion, one of the 20 barangays that are remaining in Cotabato.[55]

The two barangays in Aleosan and a sole barangay in Tulunan voted in favor of their inclusion but majority of voters in the rest of their parent municipalities voted against the barangays' inclusion. Barangay Balatican in Pikit rejected their inclusion while the rest of Pikit consented the barangay's inclusion and would have been part of the new autonomous region if Balatican voters also voted for their inclusion.[56] Balatican is the hometown of Nur Misuari, who prefer a federal set-up over the Bangsamoro autonomous region.[57]

The 63 barangays became the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro.[58]

Summary of results – On joining the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
Barangay Barangay results Consent from mother municipality Included?
Yes No Total Yes No Total
Total % Total % Total % Total %
Dunguan, Aleosan 1,198 99.83% 2 0.17% 1,200 7,222 62.03% 4,420 37.97% 11,642 Yes
Lower Mingading, Aleosan 622 100.00% 0 0.00% 622 6,061 49.66% 6,144 50.34% 12,205 No
Pagangan, Aleosan 951 83.35% 190 16.65% 1,141 5,809 49.76% 5,864 50.24% 11,673 No
Tapodoc, Aleosan 592 100.00% 0 0.00% 592 7,667 62.93% 4,516 37.07% 12,183 Yes
Kibayao, Carmen 1,806 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,806 21,902 95.59% 1,011 4.41% 22,913 Yes
Kitulaan, Carmen 1,230 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,230 22,200 95.10% 1,144 4.90% 23,344 Yes
Langogan, Carmen 603 100.00% 0 0.00% 603 23,026 95.73% 1,027 4.27% 24,053 Yes
Manarapan, Carmen 1,070 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,070 23,325 95.43% 1,118 4.57% 24,443 Yes
Nasapian, Carmen 1,141 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,141 22,429 95.64% 1,022 4.36% 23,451 Yes
Pebpoloan, Carmen 394 100.00% 0 0.00% 394 22,951 95.27% 1,139 4.73% 24,090 Yes
Tupig, Carmen 761 100.00% 0 0.00% 761 21,305 89.48% 2,504 10.52% 23,809 Yes
Buluan, Kabacan 396 100.00% 0 0.00% 396 22,666 75.84% 7,221 24.16% 29,887 Yes
Nanga-an, Kabacan 1,217 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,217 21,751 74.85% 7,310 25.15% 29,061 Yes
Pedtad, Kabacan 630 63.89% 356 36.11% 986 21,856 74.62% 7,432 25.38% 29,288 Yes
Sanggadong, Kabacan 305 86.65% 47 13.35% 352 21,778 72.91% 8,093 27.09% 29,871 Yes
Simbuhay, Kabacan 624 100.00% 0 0.00% 624 22,117 75.53% 7,167 24.47% 29,284 Yes
Simone, Kabacan 1,276 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,276 21,724 75.07% 7,213 24.93% 28,937 Yes
Tamped, Kabacan 541 100.00% 0 0.00% 541 22,193 74.79% 7,480 25.21% 29,673 Yes
Damatulan, Midsayap 1,225 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,225 24,592 56.55% 18,895 43.45% 43,487 Yes
Kadigasan, Midsayap 1,118 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,118 24,651 58.09% 17,787 41.91% 42,438 Yes
Kadingilan, Midsayap 769 99.87% 1 0.13% 770 24,911 58.11% 17,956 41.89% 42,867 Yes
Kapinpilan, Midsayap 1,008 99.12% 9 0.88% 1,017 24,179 56.72% 18,450 43.28% 42,629 Yes
Kudarangan, Midsayap 414 100.00% 0 0.00% 414 25,368 58.74% 17,818 41.26% 43,186 Yes
Central Labas, Midsayap 465 100.00% 0 0.00% 465 29,721 69.81% 12,852 30.19% 42,573 Yes
Malingao, Midsayap 978 99.69% 3 0.31% 981 23,610 55.31% 19,075 44.69% 42,685 Yes
Mudseng, Midsayap 834 100.00% 0 0.00% 834 24,491 57.12% 18,382 42.88% 42,873 Yes
Nabalawag, Midsayap 1,260 99.92% 1 0.08% 1,261 24,171 56.98% 18,252 43.02% 42,423 Yes
Olandang, Midsayap 1,553 99.87% 2 0.13% 1,555 23,977 56.93% 18,142 43.07% 42,119 Yes
Sambulawan, Midsayap 408 60.80% 263 39.20% 671 25,284 58.74% 17,762 41.26% 43,046 Yes
Tugal, Midsayap 1,147 99.57% 5 0.43% 1,152 23,949 56.34% 18,560 43.66% 42,509 Yes
Tumbras, Midsayap 590 74.68% 200 25.32% 790 21,165 54.96% 17,346 45.04% 38,511 Yes
Lower Baguer, Pigkawayan 557 100.00% 0 0.00% 557 10,289 52.72% 9,227 47.28% 19,516 Yes
Balacayon, Pigkawayan 528 100.00% 0 0.00% 528 10,757 55.24% 8,716 44.76% 19,473 Yes
Buricain, Pigkawayan 634 100.00% 0 0.00% 634 11,005 56.83% 8,361 43.17% 19,366 Yes
Datu Binsaing, Pigkawayan 449 100.00% 0 0.00% 449 11,276 57.68% 8,272 42.32% 19,548 Yes
Datu Mantil, Pigkawayan 258 100.00% 0 0.00% 258 11,580 58.73% 8,138 41.27% 19,718 Yes
Kadingilan, Pigkawayan 470 100.00% 0 0.00% 470 11,212 57.60% 8,254 42.40% 19,466 Yes
Libungan Torreta, Pigkawayan 487 100.00% 0 0.00% 487 10,984 56.31% 8,523 43.69% 19,507 Yes
Matilac, Pigkawayan 760 100.00% 0 0.00% 760 10,810 57.08% 8,129 42.92% 18,939 Yes
Lower Pangangkalan, Pigkawayan 407 100.00% 0 0.00% 407 11,128 57.10% 8,362 42.90% 19,490 Yes
Patot, Pigkawayan 617 99.84% 1 0.16% 618 10,579 54.61% 8,794 45.39% 19,373 Yes
Simsiman, Pigkawayan 733 100.00% 0 0.00% 733 10,688 55.50% 8,569 44.50% 19,257 Yes
Upper Pangangkalan, Pigkawayan 408 100.00% 0 0.00% 408 11,191 57.23% 8,363 42.77% 19,554 Yes
Bagoinged, Pikit 1,602 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,602 44,307 95.96% 1,865 4.04% 46,172 Yes
Balatican, Pikit 129 23.08% 430 76.92% 559 44,964 96.76% 1,505 3.24% 46,469 No
S. Balong, Pikit 1,424 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,424 44,357 95.75% 1,971 4.25% 46,328 Yes
S. Balongis, Pikit 1,525 95.37% 74 4.63% 1,599 44,374 96.14% 1,781 3.86% 46,155 Yes
Barungis, Pikit 870 100.00% 0 0.00% 870 44,990 95.97% 1,891 4.03% 46,881 Yes
Batulawan, Pikit 1,977 99.95% 1 0.05% 1,978 43,788 95.55% 2,037 4.45% 45,825 Yes
Bualan, Pikit 756 100.00% 0 0.00% 756 45,079 97.78% 1,025 2.22% 46,104 Yes
Buliok, Pikit 1,200 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,200 44,707 96.16% 1,787 3.84% 46,494 Yes
Bulol, Pikit 1,554 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,554 44,226 96.07% 1,811 3.93% 46,037 Yes
Fort Pikit, Pikit 1,369 90.66% 141 9.34% 1,510 43,773 94.66% 2,471 5.34% 46,244 Yes
Gli-Gli, Pikit 1,156 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,156 44,077 94.68% 2,477 5.32% 46,554 Yes
Gokotan, Pikit 1,704 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,704 44,114 95.93% 1,870 4.07% 45,984 Yes
Kabasalan, Pikit 1,479 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,479 44,383 96.08% 1,812 3.92% 46,195 Yes
Lagunde, Pikit 1,573 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,573 44,159 95.91% 1,882 4.09% 46,041 Yes
Macabual, Pikit 1,165 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,165 44,690 95.91% 1,904 4.09% 46,594 Yes
Macasendeg, Pikit 978 100.00% 0 0.00% 978 44,887 95.98% 1,882 4.02% 46,769 Yes
Manaulanan, Pikit 1,712 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,712 44,118 95.87% 1,902 4.13% 46,020 Yes
Nabundas, Pikit 1,707 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,707 44,136 95.92% 1,876 4.08% 46,012 Yes
Nalapaan, Pikit 970 95.57% 45 4.43% 1,015 44,442 95.04% 2,320 4.96% 46,762 Yes
Nunguan, Pikit 1,727 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,727 43,921 95.79% 1,928 4.21% 45,849 Yes
Pamalian, Pikit 1,084 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,084 44,777 95.94% 1,895 4.06% 46,672 Yes
Panicupan, Pikit 514 87.56% 73 12.44% 587 44,711 94.97% 2,369 5.03% 47,080 Yes
Rajamuda, Pikit 1,582 100.00% 0 0.00% 1,582 44,234 96.08% 1,804 3.92% 46,038 Yes
Galidan, Tulunan 744 100.00% 0 0.00% 744 2,435 18.32% 10,858 81.68% 13,293 No
Turnout (67 barangays) 65,779 Turnout (rest of Cotabato)

Reactions to the results

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To the January 21 vote

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Discrepancies were noted regarding the actual number of votes cast in Cotabato City: a total of 39,027 votes were recorded but 6,682 "yes" votes were recorded and 24,994 "no" votes with the combined total of the yes and no votes at 61,676. The National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers ordered a re-tabulation of the votes from Cotabato City to validate the votes.[59]

The mayor of Cotabato City, Guiani Sayaidi, was to file a protest because of the results.[60] She alleged harassment of voters who were not supportive of the BOL and "flying voters" or non-residents voting in another precinct.[59] Sayaidi later alleged a conspiracy between the national government and the MILF for the result of the plebiscite in her city.[61] She said that the military did not respond to her pleas to disperse MILF members which she claimed were harassing voters and also mentioned an alleged detention of a barangay chief at the headquarters of the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division after being told to attend a seminar in relation to the plebiscite on the eve of the plebiscite voting date. The claim has been denied by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Sayaidi was told to bring the matter to a "proper forum".[62]

Less than a week after the plebiscite, the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo of Sulu Province was bombed on January 27, one inside the church and another outside after the first bombing when the armed forced responded. Around 18 people were killed, while 82 others were injured.[63] The Armed Forces of the Philippines blamed the Ajang-Ajang group of the Abu Sayyaf as the perpetrators. Sulu narrowly rejected inclusion in the BARMM, but since the old ARMM voted for inclusion, Sulu could not opt out of inclusion. The military stated that it had received reports that the Abu Sayyaf, with foreign collaboration, had been planning to attack an urban area for a "long time" and insisted that it had yet to establish a connection between the bombings and the plebiscite itself.[64][65]

The United Nations and the European Union acknowledged the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the result of the plebiscite as a significant achievement in the Mindanao peace process.[66] The government of Turkey issued a statement with the same message,[67] while Japan has pledged continued support for aiding developments in Mindanao in accordance with the peace process.[66]

To the February 6 vote

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Following unofficial results, that the majority of voters in Lanao del Norte voted against the inclusion of six municipalities of the province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the Philippine National Police decided to keep officers stationed in various parts of the province for election duties for the plebiscite to remain in anticipation of adverse reaction to the defeat of the "Yes" votes.[68]

Aftermath

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Further information: Bangsamoro transition period
 
President Rodrigo Duterte being presented the results of the plebiscite by Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas in a ceremony.

The Commission on Elections announced on January 25, 2019 that the BOL was "deemed ratified", which meant that the ARMM would be abolished and that the process of the formal establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region would begin. The election body also announced that Cotabato City would be part of this new autonomous region while Isabela City in Basilan, which was never part of the ARMM, would remain outside of the new autonomous region. The election body also confirmed on February 14, 2019, that all six Lanao del Norte municipalities which could then-potentially be part of the new region voted in favor of their inclusion but failed to gain approval from voters in other towns in the province. Sixty-three out of 67 barangays were also announced to form part of the proposed autonomous region after they verified that voters in this barangays voted in favor of their inclusion while the rest of the voters from their respective parent municipalities consented their inclusion.[69][70]

The barangays that would be part of the BARMM did not immediately secede from their parent municipalities and province once the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region was effectively established. They were expected to vote for municipal officials of their parent municipalities and Cotabato provincial officials in the 2019 Philippine general election in May if the barangays were not reorganized into a new municipality or merged with any of the neighboring municipalities of Maguindanao in time before the elections.[71]

The members of an interim regional government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority took their oaths on February 20, 2019 along with the ceremonial confirmation of the plebiscite results of both the January 21, and February 6, 2019 votes. The official turnover from the ARMM to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region took place on February 25, 2019, thereby abolishing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao after 30 years of existence.[72]

Exclusion of the Province of Sulu

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On September 9, 2024, the Supreme Court announced that, via unanimous vote, it has mostly upheld the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. However, it declared unconstitutional the provision in the law whereby the provinces of the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao would considered as one unit for the purpose of determining ratification by simple majority. Thus, it ordered the exclusion of Sulu province, where 45.70% of the votes were cast in favor of ratification, from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The decision, penned by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, held that the inclusion of Sulu province was in violation of Article X, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution, which states that "only provinces, cities, and geographic areas voting favorably in such plebiscite shall be included in the autonomous region."[47]

See also

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References

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