Plebiscite for creation of 8 BARMM towns set April 15

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — All is set for the plebiscite on the creation of eight towns out of 63 barangays in Cotabato to form part of the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia, Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) and Soccsksargen police director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg attended a dialogue on preparations for the plebiscite at the regional police headquarters in General Santos City on Tuesday.

“The 6th ID and its counterparts in the Philippine National Police will help the Comelec administer the plebiscite in the barangays that shall be covered by these eight proposed municipalities,” Rillera said.

The BARMM parliament approved the creation of Pahamudin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan and Ligawasan towns last year following consultations with various stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Garcia said BARMM is set to hold its first parliamentary elections in May 2025.

He said voters in BARMM may have to fill out two ballots in next year’s midterm elections as the law mandates the simultaneous holding of the parliamentary elections in the region as well as the national and local elections.

Garcia admitted that the holding of simultaneous elections in BARMM is a big challenge and requires extra effort from the Comelec.