Marcos Declares Sulu Under Zamboanga Peninsula Following SC Ruling on Bangsamoro Law
The order follows the province's rejection of the Bangsamoro Organic Law's ratification in 2019 and aims to align national government operations with the High Court's ruling. The executive order stressed the need for a seamless transition of programs and services to ensure uninterrupted governance and service delivery.
A technical working group chaired by the Department of Budget and Management has been created to lead the transition. It includes Cabinet officials, the Bangsamoro Government, and the governor of Sulu. The group will be tasked to issue a transition plan within 60 days and submit annual reports to Malacañang.
By 2026, all national and local programs in Sulu will fall under Region IX's jurisdiction. Government workers affected by the shift will be allowed to transfer to other national or BARMM agencies, or to local government units. Those opting for retirement or separation are barred from reemployment for five years, unless in teaching or medical roles. Premature reemployment will require refunding benefits on a pro-rated basis.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Filipino Times
11 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Marcos Declares Sulu Under Zamboanga Peninsula Following SC Ruling on Bangsamoro Law
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order No. 91 formally reclassifying the province of Sulu under the Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX), nearly a year after the Supreme Court upheld Sulu's exclusion from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The order follows the province's rejection of the Bangsamoro Organic Law's ratification in 2019 and aims to align national government operations with the High Court's ruling. The executive order stressed the need for a seamless transition of programs and services to ensure uninterrupted governance and service delivery. A technical working group chaired by the Department of Budget and Management has been created to lead the transition. It includes Cabinet officials, the Bangsamoro Government, and the governor of Sulu. The group will be tasked to issue a transition plan within 60 days and submit annual reports to Malacañang. By 2026, all national and local programs in Sulu will fall under Region IX's jurisdiction. Government workers affected by the shift will be allowed to transfer to other national or BARMM agencies, or to local government units. Those opting for retirement or separation are barred from reemployment for five years, unless in teaching or medical roles. Premature reemployment will require refunding benefits on a pro-rated basis.
Filipino Times
14 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Thousands of OFWs Join Gov't Caravan in Dubai for Direct Access to Services
Thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from various parts of the United Arab Emirates flocked to the Dubai World Trade Centre for the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo: OFW Serbisyo Caravan, a large-scale event aimed at bringing Philippine government services closer to Filipino communities abroad. Organized by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the initiative follows the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to streamline and improve access to public services for OFWs. The event was held in collaboration with various agencies such as OWWA, PSA, Pag-IBIG, SSS, DSWD, PAO, DTI-PTIC, and the Philippine Consulate in Dubai. From 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., attendees were able to avail of services including contract verification, legal assistance, housing and financial services, and welfare programs from the Migrant Workers Office (MWO). For many, the caravan served as a one-stop shop to address pressing personal and employment concerns without having to return to the Philippines. The caravan reflects the Philippine government's commitment to making public service accessible, responsive, and relevant to the needs of its modern-day heroes. Beyond paperwork and benefits, it also fostered a sense of connection and reassurance for OFWs working far from home.
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Filipino Times
Marcos to sign law moving Barangay, SK Elections to November 2026
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to sign into law a bill postponing the December 1, 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to the first Monday of November 2026, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia. Garcia said Malacañang informed him that Marcos will approve the measure on August 12. 'Pipirmahan ng ating pangulo ang batas na magre-reset, postpone ng Barangay at SK Elections at magpi-fix ng termino ng Barangay at SK na mula 3-taon, papunta sa 4 na taon. So kung magkatanon, malamang – mula ngayon…malamang na sadyang hindi matutuloy ang halalan natin sa para sa December 1,' Garcia told reporters. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the same during a briefing, noting that the President is expected to act on the bill before the August 14 deadline. When asked whether the signing will occur before the ongoing voter registration ends, Castro replied, 'Opo, gagawin po ng Pangulo iyan.' Once signed into law, the measure will reset the BSKE to November 2026 and extend the term of barangay and SK officials from three to four years. Meanwhile, Comelec launched its Special Register Anywhere Program (SRAP) on Friday in an effort to expand voter registration. The poll body expects at least one million new registrants to join the existing 68 million registered voters nationwide. Under SRAP, services such as new voter registration, correction of entries, change of name or civil status, reactivation of records, and transfer of voter registration from overseas to local will be accommodated. However, transfer of local registration records is not yet available through the program.
