By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Robin Padilla has filed a bill proposing the creation of a special province within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Padilla said the bill aims to ensure the constitutional right to suffrage for residents of BARMM.
“The establishment of the Special Geographic Area (SGA) reflects the historic aspirations of the sixty-three (63) barangays from the municipalities of Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, Pikit, and Aleosan in the Province of Cotabato to become part of BARMM, as affirmed through a plebiscite held on February 6, 2019,” Padilla said in his Senate Bill No. 2875.
Under the proposed bill, the new province—Kutawato—will include the towns of Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan, which collectively cover the 63 barangays within the Special Geographic Area. Pahamuddin will serve as the capital.
Padilla also emphasized that the bill seeks to protect residents from disenfranchisement by ensuring their access to government services.
Earlier, Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia noted that voters in the 63 barangays were unable to vote in previous elections because they do not belong to any province.
Padilla expressed concerns that this situation may violate their constitutional right to suffrage, as outlined in Section 1, Article V of the 1987 Constitution.
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