Senate OKs amendments to ARMM Organic Act

The Senate approved on third and final reading yesterday a bill seeking to amend the Organic Act of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by expanding its area of coverage, giving more autonomy to local officials and fleshing out the Jakarta Agreement signed by the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1996.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said that once the amended Organic Act becomes a law, a plebiscite will be held on May 14, to coincide with the national elections.

He said this requires another extension in the term of all incumbent ARMM officials. He said the ARMM elections could be held on Aug. 15 and winners could start their term on Sept. 30.

A key provision of the measure expands ARMM’s area of coverage from the present four provinces (Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur) to 15 provinces and 13 cities in line with the Jakarta Agreement of 1996. — Efren Danao