Tuesday, March 9, 2021

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Senate passes bills creating new Caloocan, Bulacan legislative districts

The Senate on Tuesday passed on third and final reading bills creating new legislative districts in Caloocan City and Bulacan.


The chamber passed House Bill No. 7700, which seeks to divide the first district of Caloocan City into three legislative districts.


Under the bill, the first legislative district will be composed of Barangays 1 to 4, Barangays 77 to 86 and Barangays 132 to 177.


Meanwhile, Barangays 170 to 175 and 177 to 179 will be the city’s third legislative district and 176 and 180 to 188 will be the fourth legislative district.


The Senate also approved House Bill No. 6867, which reapportions the province of Bulacan into six legislative districts.


Under the measure, each legislative district of Bulacan will be composed of the following:


First legislative district:


• Calumpit

• Hagonoy

• Paombong

• Pulilan

• Bulakan


Second legislative district:


• Balagtas

• Baliuag

• Bocaue

• Bustos

• Guiguinto

• Plaridel

• Pandi


Third legislative district:


• Angat

• Doña Remedios Trinidad

• San Ildefonso

• San Miguel

• San Rafael


Four legislative districts:


• City of Meycauayan

• Marilao

• Obando


Fifth legislative district


• Norzagaray

• Santa Maria


Senator Francis Tolentino, who sponsored the bills as chairman of the Senate local government committee, welcomed the measures’ approval.


“I share the joy of the people of Caloocan. They will finally have a stronger and firmer voice in Congress with their additional representation,” he said.


“This will likewise ensure highly-empowered local governance that is more capable of meeting the various needs of Caloocan City given that it is the fourth most populous city in the country and the third in the National Capital Region,” he added.  


Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva, who hails from Bulacan, said the measure splitting the province into six legislative districts would help balance the needs of urban and rural residents “so that every Bulakenyo can come together to work, learn, play, and relate with one another with dignity and respect.”


The province’s reapportionment will aid in the equitable growth and better representation of the 3.3 million Filipinos residing in the 21 municipalities, three cities, and 569 barangays in the province.


“Through the reapportionment of Bulacan, I am certain that the portal going in and out of our beloved province will be wider for the seeds and fruits of progress,” Villanueva added.


https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1404989/senate-passes-bills-creating-new-caloocan-bulacan-legislative-districts

Senate OKs bill creating two Maguindanao provinces

The Senate on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill creating the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.


With 22 affirmative votes, no negative votes or abstentions, senators passed House Bill No. 6413, which seeks to divide the present Maguindanao province to pave the way for the creation of two provinces.


Senator Francis Tolentino, who sponsored the bill as chairperson of the Senate local government committee, said the measure aims to accelerate the political, social, and economic development of the new provinces and ensure that government services are more accessible and more responsive to the needs of their respective constituents.


He said the creation of more public offices as a consequence of the division will further expand the democratic space for qualified and dedicated public servants to participate in the governance of the provinces.


Once enacted into law, Maguindanao del Norte will be composed of the following towns: Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura and Upi.


Maguindanao del Sur, meanwhile, will consist of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla 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, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, South Upi, Sultan sa Barongis, Talitay and Talayan.


Under the bill, the capital towns and seats of government of the two new provinces will be Datu Odin Sinsuat for Maguindanao del Norte and Buluan for Maguindanao del Sur.


Maguindanao has a population of 1,173,933 based on the 2015 official population count of the Philippine Statistics Authority and an estimated average annual regular income is P714.56 million as certified by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, Tolentino noted.


Furthermore, he said the two new provinces comply with the minimum land area requirement of 2,000 square kilometers or 200,000 hectares as certified by the Land Management Bureau.


In his co-sponsorship speech, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. said the bill is “an embodiment of the aspiration of our brothers and sisters in Maguindanao to create a new province.”


Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva, another co-sponsor of the bill, expressed solidarity with Maguindanao leaders in accelerating their economic progress while ensuring lasting peace and stability for their fast growing population, which is projected to reach 1.4 million in 2023.


Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian are also co-sponsors of the measure.


https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1404975/senate-oks-bill-creating-two-maguindanao-provinces

Senate OKs bill creating two Maguindanao provinces

The Senate on Tuesday passed on the third and final reading the bill, which will create the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.


House Bill No. 6413, sponsored by Senator Francis Tolentino, chair of the Committee on Local Government, seeks to divide the present Maguindanao province to pave the way for the creation of two provinces.


Tolentino said the measure seeks to accelerate the political, social, and economic development of the new provinces and ensure that government services are more accessible and more responsive to the needs of their respective constituents. From a broader perspective, the creation of more public offices as a consequence of the division will further expand the democratic space for qualified and dedicated public servants to participate in the governance of the provinces.


Once enacted into law, Maguindanao del Norte will be composed of the following towns: Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura.


Maguindanao del Sur will consist of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla 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, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, Talitay and South Upi.


Under the bill, the capital towns and seats of government of the two new provinces will be Datu Odin Sinsuat for Maguindanao del Norte and Buluan for Maguindanao del Sur.


Tolentino noted that Maguindanao has a population of 1,173,933 based on the 2015 official population count of the Philippine Statistics Authority and an estimated average annual regular income of PHP714.56 million as certified by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.


He also said the two proposed provinces likewise comply with the minimum land area requirement of 2,000 km2 (200,000 hectares) as certified by the Land Management Bureau.


Tolentino said Maguindanao is blessed with rich and abundant natural resources. Despite the existence of this vast potential, political and economic barriers persist. The size of the province remains to be a challenge for the provincial government to provide basic services like public health care, education, and transportation to the most remote villages.


In his co-sponsorship speech, Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. said the legislative measure is "an embodiment of the aspiration of our brothers and sisters in Maguindanao to create a new province".


For his part, Senator Joel Villanueva, also a co-sponsor, said he is one with the leaders of Maguindanao in accelerating their economic progress while ensuring lasting peace and stability for their fast-growing population, which is projected to reach 1.4 million in 2023.


Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri -- who moved for an omnibus amendment for Northern Maguindanao and Southern Maguindanao be renamed to Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, respectively, -- and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian are also co-sponsors of the bill.


The House of Representatives passed on third reading the said measure on June 1, 2020.


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1133110

Senate approves on final reading proposal to divide Maguindanao

The Senate on Tuesday passed on third and final reading the bill which seeking the creation of the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur in Mindanao.


House Bill (HB) 6413, sponsored by the chairman of the Committee on Local Government Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino, seeks to divide the present Maguindanao province to pave the way for the creation of two provinces.


Tolentino said the measure seeks to accelerate the political, social, and economic development of the new provinces and ensure that government services are more accessible and more responsive to the needs of their respective constituents.


On a broader perspective, the creation of more public offices as a consequence of the division will further expand the democratic space for qualified and dedicated public servants to participate in the governance of the provinces, he explained.


Once enacted into law, Maguindanao del Norte will be composed of the following towns: Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura. Maguindanao del Sur will consist of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla 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, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, Talitay and South Upi.


Under the bill, the capital towns and seats of government of the two new provinces will be Datu Odin Sinsuat for Maguindanao del Norte and Buluan for Maguindanao del Sur.


Tolentino noted that Maguindanao has a population of 1,173,933 based on the 2015 official population count of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and an estimated average annual regular income is P714.56 million as certified by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.


Moreover, Tolentino pointed out that the two new provinces likewise comply with the minimum land area requirement of 2,000 km2 (200,000 hectares) as certified by the Land Management Bureau.


According to Tolentino, Maguindanao is blessed with rich and abundant natural resources.


Despite the existence of this vast potential, political and economic barriers persist.


The size of the province remains to be a challenge for the provincial government to provide basic services like public health care, education, and transportation to the most remote villages.


In his co-sponsorship speech, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. said the legislative measure is “an embodiment of the aspiration of our brothers and sisters in Maguindanao to create a new province.”


For his part, Senator Joel Villanueva said that through this legislation he is co-sponsoring, he is one with the leaders of Maguindanao in accelerating their economic progress while ensuring lasting peace and stability for their fast growing population, which is projected to reach 1.4 million in 2023. Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri — who moved for an omnibus amendment for Northern Maguindanao and Southern Maguindanao be renamed to Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur respectively, — and Sen. Win Gatchalian are also co-sponsors of the bill.


The House of Representatives passed on third reading said measure on June 1, 2020.


https://mb.com.ph/2021/03/09/senate-approves-on-final-reading-proposal-to-divide-maguindanao/

Senate passes bill creating the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur

The Senate on Tuesday passed on third and final reading the bill which will create the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur in Mindanao.


House Bill No. 6413, sponsored by the chairman of the Committee on Local Government Sen. Francis "Tol" Tolentino, seeks to divide the present Maguindanao province to pave the way for the creation of two provinces.


Tolentino said the measure seeks to accelerate the political, social, and economic development of the new provinces and ensure that government services are more accessible and more responsive to the needs of their respective constituents. On a broader perspective, the creation of more public offices as a consequence of the division will further expand the democratic space for qualified and dedicated public servants to participate in the governance of the provinces.


Once enacted into law, Maguindanao del Norte will be composed of the following towns: Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura.


Maguindanao del Sur will consist of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla 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, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, Talitay and South Upi.


Under the bill, the capital towns and seats of government of the two new provinces will be Datu Odin Sinsuat for Maguindanao del Norte and Buluan for Maguindanao del Sur.


Tolentino noted that Maguindanao has a population of 1,173,933 based on the 2015 official population count of the Philippine Statistics Authority and an estimated average annual regular income is P714.56 million as certified by the Bureau of Local Government Finance. Moreover, Tolentino pointed out that the two new provinces likewise comply with the minimum land area requirement of 2,000 km2 (200,000 hectares) as certified by the Land Management Bureau.


According to Tolentino, Maguindanao is blessed with rich and abundant natural resources. Despite the existence of this vast potential, political and economic barriers persist. The size of the province remains to be a challenge for the provincial government to provide basic services like public health care, education, and transportation to the most remote villages.


In his co-sponsorship speech, Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. said the legislative measure is "an embodiment of the aspiration of our brothers and sisters in Maguindanao to create a new province."


For his part, Sen. Joel Villanueva said that through this legislation he is co-sponsoring, he is one with the leaders of Maguindanao in accelerating their economic progress while ensuring lasting peace and stability for their fast growing population, which is projected to reach 1.4 million in 2023.


Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri -- who moved for an omnibus amendment for Northern Maguindanao and Southern Maguindanao be renamed to Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur respectively, -- and Sen. Win Gatchalian are also co-sponsors of the bill.


The House of Representatives passed on third reading said measure on June 1, 2020.


http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2021/0309_prib1.asp

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Lawmaker seeks separation of Cotabato City from Maguindanao’s 1st district

Maguindanao Rep. Datu Roonie Sinsuat Sr. has filed a measure seeking to separate Cotabato City from the first legislative district of Maguindanao.


Sinsuat said Cotabato City is formerly a part and the regional center of Region XII but due to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2018, it is now part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).


“Being an independent component city, it is not administratively subject to regulation from the provincial government of Maguindanao where it is geographically located,” said Sinsuat in House Bill 8875.


Cotabato City is regarded as the “heart of Central Mindanao”.


Under the measure, Sinsuat will continue to represent Cotabato City until the new representative has been elected.


https://mindanao.politics.com.ph/lawmaker-seeks-separation-of-cotabato-city-from-maguindanaos-1st-district/

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Only 17 session days left for Congress to act on Bangsamoro transition extension

The two houses of Congress have only 17 session days from March 9 until its adjournment sine die on June 3 to act on seven bills proposing to extend the transition period  in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from its supposed end on June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2025.


Seven bills have been filed in Congress – five in the House and two in the Senate – seeking to extend the transition period for another three years by resetting the date of the first election of  the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament to May 12, 2025 instead of May 9, 2022.


The House has held two joint committee hearings while the Senate initially set the date of its first hearing on February 24, reset it to March 3 and reset it again to March 10.


The Senate Committee hearings were postponed twice but Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri met Moro leaders twice in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Davao on February 20 and 27.  Another meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, March 9 in Metro Manila, a meeting that is expected to decide the fate of the transition bills in Congress.


Between March 9 until Congress takes a break on March 27 are eight session days. Congress will resume sessions on May 17 and will have nine session days until it adjourns sine die on June 3.


“Too short”


The 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the body tasked to govern the Bangsamoro region during the three year transition period from 2019 to 2022, passed Resolution 93 on November 17 last year, urging the House of Representatives and the Senate to extend the transition period to June 30, 2025 to give the BTA “sufficient time to continue in performing its powers and functions and fulfill its mandate.”


On November 23, President Rodrigo Duterte and six of his Cabinet members met with the BARMM’s interim Chief Minister, Ahod Balawag Ebrahim and his delegation in Davao City, to discuss support for the proposed extension.


On November 26, at the House Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity hearing on the status of the implementation of the Bangsamoro law, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez said President Duterte believes a three-year transition is “too short” and is asking Congress to extend the transition period until 2024 or 2025, to enable the BTA to “fulfill its mandate in a most reasonable time.”


RA 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM lists down the deliverables not only of the Bangsamoro transition government but also of the national government, both in the political and normalization tracks.


Between December 1 and 17, five representatives filed bills to fix the first regular election in the Bangsamoro to May 2025 instead of May 2022:  Antique Rep. Loren Legarda filed House Bill  8116;  Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, HB 8117;  Leyte Rep. and Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, HB 8161;  Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, HB 8277and Lanao del Norte Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, whose HB 8224 seeks to synchronize the first Bangsamoro election with the other elections in May 2028.


In the Senate, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III filed Senate Bill 2019 on January 25 while Senator Richard Gordon filed SB 2025 on January 27, both seeking to reset the date of the first Bangsamoro election to 2025.


CDO and Davao City meetings


The February 20 Cagayan de Oro meeting at the Xavier Estates Sports and Country Club was, according to an attendee, on the request of governors of the five-province, three-city BARMM but only Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, who is opposing extension and whose province voted against inclusion in the BARMM in 2019, and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr., who is supporting extension, were present. Also present was Basilan Rep. and Deputy Majority Leader Mujiv Hataman who filed a resolution on January 26 seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation “on the Bangsamoro transition and its listed accomplishments, ongoing programs, as well as existing challenges,” among others.


Hataman was governor of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao from December 2011 to February 26, 2019.


In the Davao City meeting, Zubiri and Cabinet secretaries – Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado – met with BARMM Governors as well as the BARMM leadership under interim Chief Minister Ebrahim, and Hataman. The governors present were Tan, Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Mangudadatu and Governor Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato, whose 63 villages are now part of the BARMM.


The Provincial Board of Maguindanao passed a resolution as early as October 2019 to push for an extension of the transition period until 2025. Also present in the Cagayan de Oro and Davao meetings were Mangudadatu’s husband, Suharto, governor of neighboring Sultan Kudarat province which is not part of  the BARMM.


In both Cagayan and Davao meetings, photographs were posted on social media but details about what transpired during the meetings were not made public.


Hataman posted a photograph of the attendees in Davao City, flashing the peace sign which he captioned with “Bangsamoro higit sa sarili”  (Bangsamoro more than self or Bangsamoro first).


Asked what their consensus was during the February 27 meeting,  Hataman told MindaNews, “meeting pa ulit, May mga konting ayusin pa” (We will meet again. Some things need to be threshed out).


Hataman said an agreement could be reached soon.


That “agreement” is expected  to be reached by March 9 during the “Political Leaders Meeting” convened by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in Metro Manila. Those who attended the Davao meeting had agreed that the  follow-up meeting be held “prior to the deliberation of the Senate Committee on Local Government” on SB 2019 and 2025. The Senate Committee will hold its first hearing on March 10.


Resolutions


As of March 9,  only Sulu out of the five-province, three-city region, has no resolution from either the Provincial Board (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) or the League of Municipalities (LMP) Sulu chapter, supporting the extension.


The Provincial Boards of Maguindanao, Tawi-tawi and Basilan and the LMP chapters in Lanao del Sur and Tawi-tawi have  passed resolutions in support of extension.


Insider Mediators, a network of Bangsamoro stakeholders on March 5 called on Congress to “fast track the amendment of Republic Act No. 11054 that would extend the transition period until 2025” while an online petition urging President Duterte to certify as urgent the transition bills has generated nearly a million signatories – 969,487 as of 10 a.m on March 9.


Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, issued a statement of support in January, as did the Christians for Peace Movement led by the Christian church leaders in Cotabato City.


Appointees


At present, the 80 members of the BTA comprising 41 nominated by the  Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)  and 39 nominated by the national government, are all appointed by President Duterte.


The BTA is supposed to end on June 30, 2022, when the first elected officials of the regional government shall have taken their oath of office, as mandated by RA 11054, the enabling act of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the peace agreement signed by the Philippine government and the MILF on March 27, 2014,  after 17 years of negotiations.


The BARMM is the third autonomous region set-up in the predominantly Moro areas in the past four decades but it is the first, as agreed upon by the two parties, to adopt a parliamentary system within a highly-centralized Presidential system of government.


A Bangsamoro Electoral Code is supposed to govern the elections in the region. The Code has not been passed.


The Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT),  an independent body set up by the Philippine government and the MILF to monitor the implementation of the CAB  told a virtual press conference on December 14 that the peace process is “fundamentally on track” with the establishment of the BARMM as a “very big achievement” but noted that some elements “will require more time to complete.”


Speaking from Brussels, TPMT chair Heino Marius, said it is beyond the mandate of the TPMT to recommend an extension of the three-year transition period as that matter has to be decided upon by both parties, but asked if  “more time” means “beyond June 30, 2022,” he replied “yes.”


He said the remaining challenges mentioned in their report “tend to show that the time allocated to the transition period is very tight and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has considerably complicated the picture” and as a consequence, “it has become clear that many elements which form part of the peace process,” particularly the normalization track, “will in all likelihood require time beyond May 2022.”  (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)


https://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2021/03/only-17-session-days-left-for-congress-to-act-on-bangsamoro-transition-extension/

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Comelec sees low turnout in Palawan’s three-way split plebiscite

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting a low turnout during the plebiscite set this Saturday to determine whether Palawan will be split into three provinces, but this will not affect the result.


The voter turnout is not necessary for the validity of the results of the plebiscite, pointing out that only a majority vote will determine whether Palawan will become three provinces, said lawyer Gloria Ramos Petallo, the regional election officer for Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).


“Historically, the voter turnout is not that high for plebiscite. Our records show that the highest numbers of voters (turnout) during [a] plebiscite is only at 47 percent. If ever the voter turnout is low, the plebiscite result is still valid,” Petallo explained at a virtual press briefing on Monday.


The Palawan plebiscite will ratify Republic Act No. 11259 dividing Palawan into Palawan Del Norte, Palawan Del Sur and Palawan Oriental.


The voters will only be ask to cast a yes vote if they are in favor of the split and no if they are against it.


The plebiscite is set to start at 7 a.m. of March 13 and will end at 3 p.m., involving over 3,000 voting precincts across the province.


The provincial board of canvassers will convene at 6 p.m. on the same day to count the ballots.


Comelec data showed that as of October 2019, Palawan has 490,639 registered voters, with 2,959 clustered precincts and 487 voting centers. The same number of precincts and voting centers will be used for the plebiscite.


Palawan has 23 towns and one independent city, Puerto Princesa.


Mother province


Even if RA 11259 is ratified, Puerto Princesa City remains a highly urbanized city independent from Palawan province, based on Proclamation No. 1264 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 26, 2007, and ratified in a plebiscite on July 21, 2007.


Puerto Princesa will cease to become the provincial capital and will become independent from any of the three provinces.


Under the law, Palawan Del Sur will become the mother province composed of the southern towns of Aborlan, Balabac, Bataraza, Sofronio Española, Kalayaan, Narra, Quezon and Rizal, with Brooke’s Point as its capital.


Palawan Del Norte will include the towns of Busuanga, Coron, Culion, El Nido and Linapacan, with Taytay as its capital.


Palawan Oriental will be composed of the towns of Agutaya, Araceli, Cagayancillo, Cuyo, Dumaran, Magsaysay and San Vicente, with Roxas as its capital.


—ROMAR MIRANDA INQ


https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1404542/comelec-sees-low-turnout-in-palawans-three-way-split-plebiscite#ixzz6ocAxIV90

22 Palawan towns get Comelec plebiscite materials

A TOTAL of 22 municipalities have already received their election paraphernalia for the upcoming plebiscite in Palawan.


In an online press briefing Monday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it started deploying paraphernalia ahead of the scheduled plebiscite on March 13, 2021.


Mimaropa Regional Election Director (RED) Atty. Gloria Ramos-Petallo said they wanted to ensure the materials will arrive on time in designated polling places.


Among the reasons cited by the concerned municipalities which applied for the early delivery are the considerable distance between the Office of the Municipal Treasurer and the location of the polling place, and the lack of or difficulty of means of transportation in the area.


Petallo explained the early delivery is allowed under Comelec Resolution No. 10687.


Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Operations and Management Unit chief June R. Rian said they started the delivery last week and as of Monday, they delivered election paraphernalia to 22 of the 23 municipalities in Palawan.


He said they will be delivering the paraphernalia to the last municipality in Palawan on Tuesday.


Over 490,000 people from Palawan, except those from Puerto Princesa City, are expected to participate in the plebiscite.



Petallo noted that, while they hope all of the eligible voters will participate in the plebiscite, historically, such exercises have a low turnout.


“Records show that the highest turnout during plebiscites is only at 47 percent,” she said.


The plebiscite aims to determine if Republic Act (RA) 11259 or the Act Dividing the Province of Palawan into three provinces will be ratified or not.


https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/03/09/22-palawan-towns-get-comelec-plebiscite-materials/

Low voter turnout seen for Palawan plebiscite

The Commission on Elections is not expecting a high voter turnout for the Palawan plebiscite on March 13.


Gloria Ramos-Petallo, election director for Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), expressed hope that all qualified voters in the province would participate in the plebiscite.


“We hope to have 100 percent voting during the plebiscite, but historically, plebiscites don’t have high voter turnout,” Petallo said.


Data shows Palawan has 490,639 registered voters in 2,959 clustered precincts.


On Saturday, residents will decide whether to divide the province into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur.


Petallo said the highest voter turnout during plebiscites is 47 percent.


Aside from the historical low voter turnout, the exercise in Palawan will take place at a time when the country is battling a pandemic, which prohibits mass gatherings.


https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/03/09/2082936/low-voter-turnout-seen-palawan-plebiscite