Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11550)
The title of Republic Act No. 11550 is the 'Charter of the Provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.'
The Province of Maguindanao is divided into two distinct and independent provinces: Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
Maguindanao del Norte is composed of the following municipalities: Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Talitay.
The capital town and seat of government of Maguindanao del Norte is Datu Odin Sinsuat, while that of Maguindanao del Sur is Buluan.
Each province under this Act has the following corporate powers: continuous succession in its corporate name, the power to sue and be sued, use a corporate seal, acquire and convey real or personal property, enter into contracts, and exercise other powers granted to corporations subject to limitations under the Local Government Code of 1991 and other laws.
The provincial governor is the chief executive of the provincial government and exercises powers including general supervision over provincial programs, formulation and implementation of development plans, appointment of provincial officials and employees, representation of the province in various transactions, enforcement of laws and ordinances, resource generation, delivery of basic services, and other duties prescribed by law or ordinance.
Permanent vacancies in the office of the provincial governor are filled by the provincial vice governor who shall become governor; if unable, the highest-ranking sangguniang panlalawigan member shall assume the office. Subsequent vacancies are filled by sangguniang panlalawigan members according to their ranking, determined by the proportion of votes obtained in the last elections.
Every ordinance shall be presented to the provincial governor for approval. The governor may sign to approve, veto with stated reasons, or fail to act. If vetoed, the sangguniang panlalawigan can override by a two-thirds vote. If the governor does not act within 15 days, the ordinance is deemed approved.
No increase in the rates of local taxes shall be imposed by the new provinces within five years from their acquisition of corporate existence.
Obligations, debts, and assets of the original Province of Maguindanao are to be shared or paid equally by the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur after the plebiscite and creation of the new provinces.