tion of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), following the Supreme Court’s final ruling.

President Marcos ordered the uninterrupted delivery of government services in Sulu through Executive Order No. 91, which he signed on July 30 along with Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin.

The declaration follows a 2024 Supreme Court resolution that affirmed with finality Sulu’s exclusion from the BARMM. In the 2019 plebiscite, Sulu voted against the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that established BARMM.

The Supreme Court had also ruled that decisions, policies, and actions taken while Sulu was part of BARMM for a specific period shall not be summarily nullified by its resolution. Instead, the high court addressed the impacts on governance, financial allocation, and the administrative framework within the province.

Marcos cited an urgent need to effectively implement and address the impacts of the Supreme Court resolution, including Sulu’s regional affiliation, while ensuring uninterrupted governmental operations and delivery of essential government projects, programs, and activities in the province.

“During the interim period, which covers Fiscal Year 2025, the Provincial Government of Sulu, along with its component LGUs (local government units), and relevant National Government Agencies (NGAs), shall make all reasonable efforts to facilitate a phased and seamless transition,” the President said.

“Further, the Bangsamoro Government, the Provincial Government of Sulu and its component LGUs, may, in accordance with relevant laws, rules, and regulations, enter into appropriate institutional arrangements or mechanisms aimed at sustaining the implementation and financing of PAPs (programs, activities, and projects), thereby ensuring the continuity and uninterrupted delivery of government services to their respective constituents,” the Chief Executive also stated.

President Marcos ordered relevant national government agencies to include Sulu under Zamboanga Peninsula for regional administration, development planning, investment programming and budgeting, and other appropriate purposes.

The Chief Executive also ordered the creation of a technical working group (TWG) chaired by the Department of Budget and Management, with national government agencies, agencies of the BARMM government, and the governor of Sulu as members.

The TWG was ordered to oversee the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling, work out the transition, resolve issues and concerns, and perform other functions as the President or Executive Secretary may direct. Presidential News Desk