Press Release - Tolentino takes up cudgels for 'orphaned' Sulu, says vital social services to the province must be sustained, following its exclusion from BARMM

Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino has taken up the cudgels for Sulu, after the province was virtually 'orphaned' due to the recent ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) that excluded it from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

"All national government agencies must have contingency plans to ensure that the delivery of vital services to the province, such as education, health, and social welfare will not be hampered," said Tolentino, as he noted that the SC ruling was 'immediately executory.'

To recall, Tolentino delivered a manifestation in plenary earlier this week to appeal to the Senate to take cognizance of the political and budgetary implications of the SC decision.

The said ruling, he said, upheld the validity of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), but declared that Sulu is not part of BARMM since the majority of its voters rejected the BOL in the plebiscite of 2019.

"This presents pressing questions about Sulu's future, but it is vital to view this challenge as an opportunity. Now that Sulu is outside of BARMM, we must carefully consider not only the political but the financial implications of this decision," Tolentino stressed.

The senator said that the Senate, in consultation with the Executive, must make the necessary adjustments to include the province in the allocations of various line agencies under the proposed P6.352-billion budget for 2025.

Meanwhile, in his weekly radio program 'SOS' on DZRH, Tolentino emphasized to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Spokesperson Irene Dumlao the need to focus immediate attention to Sulu.

"Usually, when it rains heavily in BARMM, areas like Cotabato and other parts of the region experience flooding. What I think you should prepare for now is the situation that Sulu is no longer part of BARMM. The province should now receive attention because they will return to being under your care. What percentage of your allocation is reserved for Sulu? Perhaps none? Have you made any adjustments?" the senator asked Dumlao.

In response, Dumlao assured the DSWD's continuous assistance to Sulu, as well as the agency's close coordination with its counterpart, the BARMM Ministry of