Zubiri backs Sulu plebiscite, BARMM poll delay bills

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri is advocating for the swift passage of a bill that proposes a new plebiscite in Sulu following the Supreme Court's decision to exclude the province from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Earlier, Zubiri filed Senate Bill 2915, which aims to reintegrate Sulu into the BARMM. The senator stressed the significance of this legislation in ensuring stability and lasting peace in the region.

"For them to be removed out of the BARMM is a step backwards in peace. Kasi babalik uli sila sa national government, sasabihin na naman nila kasalanan na naman ng national government na ayaw silang pasamahin sa BARMM," Zubiri pointed out.

(They will revert to the national government and may blame it for excluding them from the BARMM.)

During the 2019 ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, authored by Zubiri, Sulu residents voted against the measure that established the BARMM.

Zubiri emphasized the importance of holding another plebiscite to re-include Sulu in the BARMM, ideally alongside the passage of another proposed bill postponing the first regular BARMM elections and extending the Bangsamoro Transition Authority's (BTA's) term by one year.

"We have to make another push for a plebiscite to include Sulu in the BARMM. So hopefully, we could pass this together with the extensions of BARMM officials, itong Bangsamoro Transition Authority, by one year. Kasi gusto po natin maipasa muna natin itong Sulu plebiscite," he explained.

The senator urged Malacañang to certify the bill as urgent, warning of potential extremism in Sulu if the legislation is not enacted.

"Hopefully, the President will certify it as urgent as well kasi ito ay part of the peace process... it's not just a simple local bill. It will affect the whole region of Mindanao and the whole country… kung magkakaroon ulit ng problema dun in terms of extremism," he said.

Although he did not raise the issue during a recent dinner with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Zubiri plans to send the President a formal message on the matter.

Zubiri also called on the House of Representatives to expedite its counterpart measure to SB 2915, noting the urgency with Congress set to adjourn for the election campaign from February 8 to June 1 and the third regular session of the 19th Congress ending on June 14.

Additionally, Zubiri expressed hope for the ratification of other key legislation before the 19th Congress concludes, including the reorganization of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), the Special Defense Economic Zone Bill, and the Philippine Agriculturist Bill. — DVM, GMA Integrated News