The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced that there is insufficient time to organize a plebiscite in Sulu should the proposal to reintegrate the province into the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) be passed into law. This statement was made by Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia during a press conference at Kapihan sa Manila Bay. Garcia explained that the process to include Sulu back into BARMM would be complex, involving the division of the region into different districts, which would require a significant amount of time. Despite the logistical challenges, Garcia affirmed that Comelec would adhere to any decision made by the lawmakers concerning this proposal. Currently, the Senate is conducting hearings on the proposal to re-include Sulu in BARMM, and if it becomes law, a plebiscite would be necessary to allow the residents of Sulu to vote on their inclusion. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri introduced Senate Bill No. 2915 last month, aiming to bring Sulu back into the BARMM. However, the Supreme Court had previously ruled on September 9, 2024, to exclude Sulu from BARMM, a decision that was upheld in November 2024. The court’s ruling supported the validity of Republic Act 11054, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), clarifying that BARMM remains part of the Philippines. Sulu had previously voted against the ratification of the BOL in a 2019 plebiscite.
Comelec Declares No Time Left for Sulu Plebiscite on BARMM Inclusion
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