Marcos vows to continue key projects in Sulu

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has committed to continue implementing key projects in Sulu, which was recently excluded by the Supreme Court (SC) from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Marcos made the commitment during a meeting with Sulu leaders at Malacañang on Wednesday.

“Our meeting with leaders of Sulu reinforced our commitment to the province’s continuous progress,” the President said in a post on Facebook.

“By working closely with our local and national partners, we will sustain vital projects and services, ensuring that Sulu remains on the path to peace, unity and development,” he added.

BARMM was created through the Bangsamomoro Organic Law, an outcome of the 2014 peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The SC upheld the validity of the law, but declared Sulu not part of the BARMM after residents rejected the ratification during a plebiscite in 2019.

As this developed, the Department of Budget and Management called for a status quo in Sulu and Bangsamoro region.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman gave assurance of a smooth transition, saying a whole-of-government approach will be undertaken to ensure continued delivery of government services.

“While the SC decision states that it is immediately executory, it is prudent to wait for it to reach finality, considering the significant implications for its enforcement to ensure that when commenced, the same had already attained a state of immutability,” Pangandaman said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri appealed for the retention of seven seats to be vacated by Sulu in the Bangsamoro parliament.

Zubiri said the 80 parliamentary seats should be retained even as Sulu was excluded from the BARMM.

He urged the Bangsamoro parliament to pass a law that would amend the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 58, which allotted 32 of the 80 parliamentary district seats, including seven for Sulu. - Marc Jayson Cayabyab