Sulu declared part of Zamboanga peninsula

MANILA, Philippines — To ensure continued delivery of government services, President Marcos has declared the province of Sulu as part of Zamboanga peninsula, in compliance with a Supreme Court (SC) ruling excluding the province from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Marcos signed Executive Order (EO) 91 on July 30, citing the “urgent need to effectively implement and address the impact of the SC decision and resolution” on Sulu.

EO 91 stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted government operations and delivery of essential projects, programs and activities in the province.

In September 2024, the high tribunal excluded Sulu from the BARMM after residents rejected the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which established the Bangsamoro region.

EO 91 mandated the provincial government of Sulu as well as the province’s component local government units (LGUs) and relevant national government agencies (NGAs) to exert all appropriate efforts in facilitating a phased and seamless transition.

The Bangsamoro and Sulu governments as well as the province’s component LGUs may enter into institutional arrangements or mechanisms aimed at sustaining the implementation and financing of programs, activities and projects to ensure uninterrupted services for the people.

EO 91 also ordered all relevant NGAs to include Sulu in Zamboanga peninsula for regional administration, development planning, investment programming and budgeting, and other relevant purposes as provided under applicable laws, rules and regulations.

The EO required the creation of a technical working group (TWG) that would oversee and monitor the implementation of the SC decision, prepare and issue a transition plan, and resolve concerns arising from the ruling.

The TWG will be composed of the chiefs of the Department of Budget and Management, Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of the Interior and Local Government as chairman, co-chairman and vice chairman, respectively.

Employees affected by the transition may apply for transfer of position with equivalent rank, level or salary grade in other agencies such as under the BARMM government, executive branch and LGUs.

Those who will opt to retire from the service are entitled to corresponding benefits and other separation incentives.