2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite

2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite
October 28, 2006

Do you approve of the creation of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan, into a distinct and independent province comprising the municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Upi and Datu Blah T. Sinsuat in the province of Maguindanao, pursuant to MMA Act No. 201?
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 285,372 97.01%
No 8,802 2.99%
Total votes 294,174 100.00%

The Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite was a plebiscite on the creation of the Province of Shariff Kabunsuan in the Philippines. The plebiscite was conducted on October 28, 2006[1] and results were announced on October 31, 2006.

The proposed province — named after Shariff Mohammed Kabungsuwan, an Arab-Malay Islamic preacher who introduced Islam to central Mindanao in the 16th century,[2] — was established under Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201 which was signed into law by ARMM Regional Governor Zaldy Ampatuan on September 7, 2006.[3] MMAA 201 provided for the creation of a new province comprising the nine municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Upi, all of the first legislative district of the province of Maguindanao.[3] A tenth municipality, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, was created within the proposed province on September 16, 2006,[4] weeks prior to the actual plebiscite for the creation of the province.

Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. originally pushed for the creation of the new province to "decentralize governance and maximize development in poor Muslim communities, most of which have been areas of armed conflict for decades."[5] He and his son ARMM Regional Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, campaigned for the creation of Shariff Kabunsuan to better extend government services to residents, particularly those in the "precipitous" parts of the area.[6]

  1. ^ "Did you know that… ARMM now has Six Provinces". Philippine Statistics Authority. March 26, 2007. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  2. ^ Unson, John (October 29, 2006). "Maguindanao split decided in plebiscite". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Regional Legislative Assembly - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (September 6, 2006). "Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201 - An Act Creating the Province of Shariff Kabunsuan, Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  4. ^ "Did you know that… Maguindanao is the Seat Of Muslim Mindanao". Philippine Statistics Authority. November 9, 2006. Archived from the original on May 18, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference pia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Maguindanaons vote 'yes' to new province formation". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on February 23, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2016.