2001 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao expansion and inclusion plebiscite

In the Philippines, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was the only autonomous region (until it was superseded by Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao); as such it is the sole region with a regional government as prescribed by the Constitution of the Philippines. In 2001, Republic Act No. 9054 was passed for the expansion of the ARMM to include the areas which initially rejected inclusion and the provinces which were carved from them. However, only Marawi City and Basilan, with the exception of Isabela City, opted to be integrated in the region.

Result of the plebiscite. Note that the votes for each province and city (whether highly urbanized, independent component or component) are treated separately, and are not combined into one single result.

A special plebiscite was set on August 14, 2001.

Results

Rules

Each province, and their component cities, has their own separate plebiscite. In order for the plebiscite to be approved, a majority of the people who voted is needed, if it fails to surpass the majority of valid votes, the plebiscite is defeated in that province or city.

• For provinces voted for expansion and amendments to the original organic act:
  • If a majority did not vote in favor, all amendments to the organic act, save for provinces and cities that voted for inclusion, are rejected.
• For provinces and cities voting for inclusion:
  • If a majority in each city or province votes in favor, it becomes a part of the autonomous region; in case of component cities, they do not cease to be a part of their province but regional services will be under the ARMM.
  • If a majority in a municipality does not vote in favor of inclusion but the totals for the rest of the province are in favor it will be a part of the ARMM nevertheless.

Provinces and cities that approved expansion (for already members) and inclusion (for non-members) are highlighted:

Summary

Support from within the ARMM was overwhelmingly in favor, with all four provinces having at least 70% of those who voted in favor of expanding the region. Those which were asked for inclusion, on the other hand, were overwhelmingly opposed, with most provinces and cities having more than 90% of those who voted opposing inclusion, with the exception of Basilan (91%), which voted overwhelmingly for inclusion (its capital Isabela City voted not to be included) and Marawi (which is part of Lanao del Sur which already within the ARMM).

Expansion

• Question: Do you vote in favor of the amendments to Republic Act No. 6734, the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as proposed under this Organic Act, which includes, among other things, the expansion of the area of the autonomous region?

 Summary of the final official COMELEC canvass of the 14 August 2001 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao expansion and inclusion plebiscite, 2001

Province	Yes	%	No	%	Total
Lanao del Sur	185,212	91.3	17,718	8.7	202,930
Maguindanao	175,893	72.0	68,561	28.0	244,454
Sulu	75,320	86.5	11,711	13.5	87,031
Tawi-Tawi	44,159	76.8	13,363	23.2	57,522
Valid votes					591,937

Inclusion

• Question: Do you vote in favor of the inclusion of your province or city in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao?

Provinces

 Summary of the final official COMELEC canvass of the 14 August 2001 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao expansion and inclusion plebiscite (Provincial Inclusion), 2001

Province	Yes	%	No	%	Total
Basilan	185,212	89.3	22,121	10.7	207,333
Davao del Sur	3,074	2.3	129,695	97.7	132,769
Lanao del Norte	27,235	16.6	136,600	83.4	163,835
North Cotabato	16,603	9.0	167,531	91.0	184,134
Palawan	1,717	1.5	113,839	98.5	115,556
Sarangani	2,359	3.2	70,727	96.8	73,086
South Cotabato	2,497	1.9	129,483	98.1	131,980
Sultan Kudarat	4,782	4.0	115,571	96.0	120,353
Zamboanga del Norte	6,540	4.0	158,125	96.0	164,665
Zamboanga del Sur	4,759	2.8	163,628	97.2	168,387
Zamboanga Sibugay	6,843	6.6	96,830	93.4	103,673
Valid votes					1,565,771

Cities

• Question: Do you vote in favor of the inclusion of your province or city in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao?

 Summary of the final official COMELEC canvass of the 14 August 2001 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao expansion and inclusion plebiscite (Cities Inclusion), 2001

Province	Yes	%	No	%	Total
Cotabato City	9,361	36.8	16,075	63.2	25,436
Dapitan	413	1.8	22,073	98.2	22,486
Digos	523	1.7	30,176	98.3	30,699
Dipolog	777	2.7	28,171	97.3	28,948
General Santos	1,277	1.5	82,251	98.5	83,528
Iligan	1,604	2.5	61,472	97.5	63,076
Isabela City	3,656	20.0	14,588	80.0	18,244
Kidapawan	468	2.1	21,887	97.9	22,355
Koronadal	170	0.5	33,288	99.5	33,458
Marawi	26,362	91.6	2,429	8.4	28,791
Pagadian	636	2.0	31,846	98.0	32,482
Puerto Princesa	402	1.1	35,763	98.9	36,165
Tacurong	187	1.0	19,076	99.0	19,263
Zamboanga City	5,849	4.9	112,735	95.1	118.564
Valid votes					563,515

References

• Full text of Republic Act 9054

See also

• 2001 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao general election