MANILA: The proposed creation of Kutawato province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will ensure that no citizen is deprived of the fundamental right to vote. In his opening statement during the Committee on Local Government public hearing on Wednesday, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito emphasized the importance of ensuring that all citizens, particularly those in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of BARMM, can exercise the right to vote in the 2025 elections.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ejercito recalled the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law during the 17th Congress, highlighting the law’s objective of fostering lasting peace in Mindanao. The law allowed residents in the identified territories to vote on their inclusion in BARMM, resulting in 63 villages in Cotabato province becoming part of the BARMM under the SGA and later voting to form eight new municipalities. However, the municipalities faced a unique challenge as they do not fall under any BARMM province, leadi
ng to complications in governance and electoral participation.
“Recently, we held a hearing to discuss the proposed postponement or resetting of elections in BARMM. One of the issues raised was the disenfranchisement of at least 60 barangays due to their undefined provincial affiliation,” Ejercito said. To address this, Ejercito expressed his full support for Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2875 proposed by Senator Robinhood Padilla to resolve the electoral concerns of the affected communities.
Under SBN 2875, the proposed Kutawato province will be composed of 63 barangays from the municipalities of Pahamuddin (the capital town), Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan. Ejercito hopes that the passage of the measure will empower residents of the 63 barangays to participate in the 2025 elections, ensuring inclusivity and representation in the democratic process.
“May this legislation serve as an instrument to grant voting rights to our fellow citizens in the Special Geographi
c Areas,” he concluded. Beyond voting rights, the creation of Kutawato province aims to enhance governance and service delivery. By establishing a dedicated provincial government, the bill seeks to streamline the delivery of basic services, improve infrastructure, and strengthen local government operations.
It also outlines the provincial government’s powers and responsibilities, including revenue generation, taxation, and land use regulation, aligning with the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991. Padilla said one of the universal, inherent, and basic needs of a person is to belong to society. “We cannot deny that the establishment of provinces for these SGAs is necessary because it is essential for the livelihood and operation of municipalities and barangays in the SGA of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region,” Padilla said.
“This is critical to our desire to promote inclusive development, strengthen peace and order in areas affected by decades of armed conflict, and of course, to prevent the disenf
ranchisement of people by ensuring that their rights are adequately and efficiently provided by the government,” he added. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, pointed out that local officials know best what is good for their constituents because they interact with their constituents on a regular basis. “They talk to their constituents, they interact with their constituents, they know their problems, they know the dreams, and therefore the local government units and the local chief executives know best for their constituents,” the senator said.
“I heard from our friends and constituents from the BARMM and also from the SGAs that this is their desire and their wish. And with that, I fully support that because I know that they only want the best for their locality,” he added.
