QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 6734)
The autonomous region is named the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), unless Congress provides otherwise upon the recommendation of the Regional Legislative Assembly.
The plebiscite covers the provinces of Basilan, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Palawan, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur; and the cities of Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, General Santos, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga.
The provisional seat is in Cotabato City. The Regional Legislative Assembly fixes the permanent seat by law, considering accessibility and efficiency, subject to the Organic Act’s framework.
It must adopt a policy of settling conflicts by peaceful means and renounce any form of lawless violence as an instrument of redress.
No person in the Autonomous Region shall be subjected to any form of discrimination on the basis of creed, religion, ethnic origin, parentage, or sex.
Devolution includes matters such as administrative organization, creation of sources of revenues, ancestral domain and natural resources, regional planning, economic/social/tourism development, educational policies, cultural heritage, and powers/functions of certain national departments—except expressly excluded areas like foreign affairs, national defense and security, postal service, coinage and fiscal/monetary policies, administration of justice, quarantine, customs/tariff, citizenship/naturalization/immigration, foreign trade, and transportation/communications affecting areas outside the Region (plus other specified exclusions).
The President exercises general supervision over the Regional Government (including local government units therein) directly or through the Regional Governor, to ensure faithful execution of national and regional laws.
Legislative power is vested in the Regional Assembly, except for matters reserved to the people through initiative and referendum as provided by law.
It consists of Members elected by popular vote, with three (3) members from each congressional district. Members have a term of three (3) years starting at noon of March 31 following the election, and may not serve for more than three (3) consecutive terms.
A Member must be: a natural-born citizen; at least 21 on election day; able to read and write; a registered voter in the district on filing of candidacy; and a resident of the region for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the election.
A bill needs three (3) readings on separate days and printed copies distributed to Members at least three (3) days before passage, unless emergency certification by the Governor. The Governor may veto and return it with objections; the Assembly may override the veto with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all Members upon reconsideration.
The President appoints the Justices from a list of at least three (3) nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council, where nominees are chosen from a list of recommendees submitted by the Regional Assembly. The appointments need no confirmation.
It has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all cases tried in the Shari'ah District Courts as established by law.
The Muslim Code applies only to Muslims, while the Tribal Code applies only to members of indigenous cultural communities. The codes should not prejudice non-Muslims and non-members.
National law applies in case of conflict between the Muslim Code and the Tribal Code.
If there is a conflict between the Muslim Code or the Tribal Code and national law, national law prevails.
Income taxation is solely the concern and prerogative of the National Government. The Regional Assembly may impose taxes, except income taxes, as well as fees and charges—subject to constitutional and Organic Act limitations.
Thirty percent (30%) to the province/city, thirty percent (30%) to the Regional Government, and forty percent (40%) to the National Government. The province or city share is further subdivided (province: 10% province/10% municipality/10% barangay; city: 20% city/10% barangay), and the province/city automatically retains its share then remits 70% to the Regional Government for further remittance of the National Government’s portion monthly.