Let people decide on ARMM expansion

Former Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr. said the residents of 15 provinces and 13 cities covered by an expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) should be left to decide on whether they want their respective areas to be included as part of the new ARMM.

Puno, one of Laban’s senatorial frontrunners, said the people of these affected areas should be given a chance to make an informed choice on such a crucial issue.

"The people of these 15 provinces and 13 cities should know the advantages and disadvantages, if any, of the inclusion of their province or city in the a stronger and expanded ARMM," Puno told local journalists here.

Under the 1996 peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front, Republic Act No. 6734 or the ARMM Organic Act would be amended to expand the coverage of the original autonomous region, composed of the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Tawi-tawi, Sulu and Maguindanao.

With the amended law already passed, a plebiscite simultaneous with the May 14 national and local elections would be held in 15 provinces and 13 cities covered by the expanded ARMM to determine the people’ will in these areas.

The plebiscite will be conducted in the provinces of Palawan, Basilan, North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Zamboaanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and the newly created Zamboanga Sibugay.

It will also held in the cities of Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, General Santos, Iligan, Kidapawan, Marawi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Digos, Koronada, Tacurong, and Zambonga.