By Benjamin Pulta | Philippine National Police
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday affirmed its September ruling excluding the province of Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In a statement, the Supreme Court said it denied the motions for partial reconsideration filed by the government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Office of the Solicitor General, and others.
“These motions (for reconsideration) sought to reverse the Court’s Decision on September 9, 2024, which excluded the Province of Sulu from the BARMM. The Decision is final and immediately executory. No further pleadings will be entertained,” the SC said.
In its ruling, the high tribunal upheld the validity of Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Bangsamoro Organic Law) because it does not make BARMM a separate state from the Philippines.
However, it ruled that Sulu province is not part of the BARMM after the province rejected the law’s ratification.
The Bangsamoro Attorney General’s Office filed two motions in October, seeking to intervene and asking the court for a reconsideration.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law, enacted on July 27, 2018, provided for the establishment of BARMM as a political entity and its corresponding basic governmental structure.
A plebiscite was conducted on Jan. 21, 2019, covering the then-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Isabela City in Basilan, and Cotabato City.
Another plebiscite was held on Feb. 6, 2019 in Lanao del Norte, municipalities in North Cotabato, and other areas that petitioned for voluntary inclusion.
The majority ratified the law, except for Sulu.
Despite this, Sulu was included in BARMM, prompting the province to file a petition.