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Referendums in the Philippines

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Referendums in the Philippines are occasionally held at a national, regional or local level. Referendums can either by national or local in scope. In the Philippines, "referendums" and "plebiscites" mean different things.

Terminology

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According to the Initiative and Referendum Act, a referendum is "the power of the electorate to approve or reject a legislation through an election called for the purpose." A plebiscite, on the other hand, is "the electoral process by which an initiative on the Constitution is approved or rejected by the people."[1]

Referendums

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The constitution mandates a referendum for these instances:[2]

  • Adoption of a new name for the country, or a new national anthem or a new seal
  • Allowing foreign military troops in the Philippines if Congress requires

The Initiative and Referendum Act allows for referendums on these cases:[1]

  • A petition of at least 10% of registered voters, with 3% within every legislative district for local initiatives
    • If there is only one legislative district in a province, city or municipality, it has to be 3% within each municipality in a province, or each barangay in a city
    • For barangay initiatives, it has to be at least 10% of registered voters
  • A local legislative body can also submit to the electorate approval of any ordinance or resolution

Plebiscites

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The constitution requires a plebiscite for these:[2]

  • Creation, division, merger, abolishment or major boundary changes of a province, city, municipality or barangay (village).
  • Creation of special metropolitan political subdivisions
  • Creation of autonomous regions
  • Approval of an amendment or revision to the constitution

The Initiative and Referendum Act allows for plebiscites on these cases:[1]

  • A petition of at least 12% of registered voters, with 3% within every legislative district, for amending the constitution

However, the Supreme Court declared the Initiative and Referendum Act procedures for amending the constitution as fatally defective, although it did not affect the operation of the law for other types of initiatives.[3]

Other

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The constitution allows Congress to submit to the electorate the question of calling a constitutional convention; it did not specify what kind of balloting this is.[2]

Administration

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Just like any other electoral exercise, referendums and plebiscites are administered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

National referendums

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Spanish colonial period

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Main article: 1599 Philippines sovereignty referendums

In 1599, King Philip II of Spain ordered a referendum in several areas to confirm Spanish sovereignty in the islands. It was approved.[4]

American colonial period

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In 1935, the first national plebiscite was held, for the ratification of the 1935 constitution. This was seen as an independence referendum, and those in favor of adoption the constitution overwhelmingly outnumbered those who were opposed.[5]

Two years later, a plebiscite asked women if they wanted suffrage for themselves. Unlike other referendums, 300,000 votes to the affirmative were needed; Filipino women turned out in droves, with more than 447,000 voting for suffrage.[5]

Two years later, a plebiscite asked the people about economic adjustments. These were amendments to the Tydings–McDuffie Act. The people overwhelmingly approved the amendments.[5]

In 1940, a plebiscite asked three questions to the people. These were amendments to the constitution that restored the bicameral Congress, allowed the re-election of the president, and created the Commission on Elections. The people approved all three, but not as overwhelmingly as the 1935 and 1939 plebiscites.[5]

Third Republic

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The Americans granted independence to the Philippines on July 4, 1946. Prior to that, Congress passed Commonwealth Act No. 733, the local version of the Bell Trade Act passed by the United States Congress, which include parity rights for both Filipino and American citizens to exploit Philippine natural resources.[6] As this meant amending the constitution, a plebiscite was called after it was passed by the Philippine Congress by much difficulty. Turnout was low, but the measure was approved by the people by a 5:1 margin.[5]

By 1967, there were moves to revise the constitution. Congress passed amendments to the constitution where it increased the number of congressmen, and allowed incumbent members of Congress to sit in the incoming constitutional convention. In a plebiscite held together with the 1967 Senate election, the people overwhelmingly rejected both questions. This was the only time the government lost.[5] A constitutional convention was elected in 1970, and new constitution was put to a plebiscite in 1973.[7]

Martial law and Fourth Republic

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President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law on September 23, 1972. Martial law prevented Congress to convene. The constitutional convention presented to him the draft constitution by December 1972. Meanwhile, some senators have been organizing to convene on the supposed resumption of Congress by January 22, 1973. Marcos then created barangay or citizens' assemblies. These assemblies, instead of via secret ballot, voted via showing of hands on the new constitution, and whether to hold another plebiscite for approving the constitution, from January 10 to 15, 1973. The citizens' assemblies overwhelmingly approved the constitution, and voted not to hold another plebiscite.[5]

Marcos had several more referendums, all being voted by citizens' assemblies, and won on overwhelming margins.[5]

Fifth Republic

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Marcos was overthrown after the People Power Revolution, where he was alleged to have cheated during the 1986 presidential election. Corazon Aquino, Marcos's opponent, became president, and did away with the 1973 constitution. She appointed a constitutional commission that drafted a new constitution. This was then approved by the people in a plebiscite in a margin of more than 3:1.[5]

Local plebiscites

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Local plebiscites have mostly been for the creation, inclusion to, or division of new autonomous regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.

This is a list of local plebiscites, from the regional down to the municipal level. A law, proclamation, resolution, or ordinance has to be passed for a plebiscite to take place.

Acronym Meaning Implementing agency
BA Bangsamoro Act Bangsamoro Parliament
BP Batas Pambansa (National Law) Batasang Pambansa (National Legislature)
CO City Ordinance Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council)
MMAA Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly
PD Presidential Decree President of the Philippines
PP Presidential Proclamation President of the Philippines
RA Republic Act Congress of the Philippines
SPR Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board)

Regional-level plebiscites

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These plebiscites asked for the creation of, or the inclusion of a place, in an autonomous region.

The 1987 constitution states that there are two autonomous regions: Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera. Five successful plebiscites in Mindanao have led to the creation of the present-day Bangsamoro via a 2019 plebiscite. In the Cordillera, two plebiscites have failed, the latest in 1998, and it is still treated as a regular administrative region.

Date Location Proposition Enabling law Result
April 17, 1977 Central Mindanao, Davao del Sur, Palawan, South Cotabato and Western Mindanao Creation of autonomous regions in Mindanao PD 1092
PD 1098
PD 1111 		Ratified for two regions
May 17, 1982 Central Mindanao and Western Mindanao Merger of Lupong Tagapagpaganap of Regions IX and XII as one executive body PD 1843 Rejected
November 19, 1989 Central Mindanao, Davao del Sur, Palawan, South Cotabato and Western Mindanao Creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao RA 6734 Ratified in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, rejected elsewhere
January 30, 1990 Cordillera Administrative Region Creation of the Cordillera Autonomous Region RA 6766 Ratified in Ifugao, rejected elsewhere; ratification nullified by the Supreme Court.[a]
March 8, 1998 Cordillera Administrative Region Creation of the Cordillera Autonomous Region RA 8438 Rejected
August 14, 2001 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Increased autonomy, expansion of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao RA 9054 Ratified in every province
Central Mindanao, Palawan, Southern Mindanao, Western Mindanao Inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Ratified in Basilan and Marawi, rejected elsewhere
January 21 and February 6, 2019 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Creation of the Bangsamoro RA 11054 Originally ratified in the original ARMM,[8] then nullified in Sulu by the Supreme Court.[9]
Basilan, Cotabato City, Lanao del Norte, 7 municipalities in Cotabato Inclusion to the Bangsamoro Ratified in Cotabato City[8] and 63 barangays in Cotabato,[10] rejected elsewhere
  1. ^ The Supreme Court ruled that autonomous regions should consist of more than one province.

Provincial-level plebiscites

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These plebiscites asked for the creation of a province or involved an entire province. A group of cities and municipalities (most usually a legislative district or, formerly, sub-provinces) that aim to become provinces have provincehood (in the case of legislative districts) or conversion (in the case of sub-provinces) plebiscites. There had also been plebiscites asking for the transfer of the provincial capital from one municipality to another, the selection of a provincial capital, and the renaming of a province. There was also a plebiscite asking a province if they would approve the conversion of a component city within that province to a highly urbanized city. A "highly urbanized city" is politically, administratively, and fiscally independent from a province.

Date Location Proposition Enabling law Result
November 12, 1965 Samar Division of Samar to create the provinces of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Western Samar (renamed in 1969 as "Samar") RA 4221 Ratified
November 14, 1967 Agusan Division of Agusan to create the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur RA 4979 Ratified
November 11, 1969 Nueva Vizcaya Creation of the sub-province of Quirino RA 5554 Ratified
November 9, 1971 Quirino Conversion of Quirino to a province RA 6394 Ratified
November 9, 1971 Siquijor Conversion of Siquijor to a province RA 6398 Ratified
Selection of provincial capital Siquijor was chosen
April 17, 1977 Basilan Confirmation on the conversion of City of Basilan to a province PD 1111 Ratified
North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat Confirmation of the division of Cotabato to create the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat Ratified
Tawi-Tawi Confirmation of the creation of Tawi-Tawi Ratified
May 20, 1979 Aurora Conversion of Aurora to a province BA 7 Ratified
March 5, 1982 Lanao del Norte Transfer of the provincial capital from Iligan to Tubod BP 181 Ratified
December 18, 1982 Maguindanao Transfer of the provincial capital from Sultan Kudarat to Maganoy PD 1170 Ratified
January 3, 1986 Part of Negros Occidental Creation of Negros del Norte BP 885 Ratified; then nullified by the Supreme Court[a]
May 11, 1992 Biliran Conversion of Biliran to a province RA 7160 Ratified
Guimaras Conversion of Guimaras to a province Ratified
May 8, 1995 Kalinga-Apayao Conversion of Apayao and Kalinga to separate provinces RA 7878 Ratified
June 20, 1995 Isabela Division of Isabela to create the provinces of Isabela del Norte and Isabela del Sur RA 7891 Rejected
March 8, 1998 Davao del Norte Creation of Compostela Valley RA 8470 Ratified
February 22, 2001 Zamboanga del Sur Creation of Zamboanga Sibugay RA 8973 Ratified
October 28, 2006 Maguindanao Creation of Shariff Kabunsuan MMAA 201 Ratified;[11] then nullified by the Supreme Court[b]
December 5, 2006 Surigao del Norte Creation of Dinagat Islands RA 9355 Ratified;[13][c]
March 29, 2008 Basilan Creation of Tabuan-Lasa MMAA 187 Ratified
December 13, 2008 Quezon Creation of the Quezon del Sur, and renaming the rest of Quezon as "Quezon del Norte" RA 9495 Rejected[15]
October 28, 2013 Davao del Sur Creation of Davao Occidental RA 10360 Ratified[16]
December 7, 2019 Compostela Valley Renaming of Compostela Valley to "Davao de Oro" RA 11297 Ratified[17]
March 13, 2021 Palawan Division of Palawan to create the provinces of Palawan del Norte, Palawan del Sur, and Palawan Oriental RA 11259 Rejected[18]
September 17, 2022 Maguindanao Division of Maguindanao to create the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur RA 11150 Ratified[19]
October 30, 2023 Bulacan Conversion of San Jose del Monte to a highly urbanized city PP 1057 s. 2020 Rejected[20]
  1. ^ The Supreme Court ruled that the province does not meet the requirements of the 1983 Local Government Code, and by not including the rest of Negros Occidental in the plebiscite.
  2. ^ The Supreme Court ruled that the creation of legislative districts, and provinces by extension, by a body other than Congress as unconstitutional[12]
  3. ^ Originally nullified by the Supreme Court as the province did not pass the minimum requirements for becoming a province, but the court reversed its original ruling[14]

Municipal- and city-level plebiscites

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These plebiscites involved entire municipalities or cities, asked for the incorporation of a new municipality, or asked for cityhood. Most plebiscites involving entire municipalities ask for its cityhood, conversion from being a component city to a highly urbanized city (see provincial-level plebiscites section above), creation of a new municipality from a group of barangays within it, its renaming, the creation of new barangays, transfer of one barangay from one municipality to another, or merger with other municipalities in order to become a city.

Date Location Proposition Enabling law Result
November 14, 1961 Caloocan, Rizal Cityhood of Caloocan RA 3278 Ratified
November 12, 1963 Angeles, Pampanga Cityhood of Angeles RA 3700 Ratified
Ligao, Albay Creation of Pioduran RA 3187 Ratified
November 9, 1965 Bago, Negros Occidental Cityhood of Bago RA 4382 Ratified
General Santos, Cotabato Cityhood of General Santos, and renaming it to "Rajah Buayan" RA 4413 Rejected[a]
San Carlos, Pangasinan Cityhood of San Carlos RA 4487 Ratified
Laoag, Ilocos Norte Cityhood of Laoag RA 4584 Ratified
La Carlota, Negros Occidental Cityhood of La Carlota RA 4585 Ratified
Batangas, Batangas Cityhood of Batangas, and renaming it to "Laurel City" RA 4586 Rejected
November 11, 1969 Puerto Princesa, Palawan Cityhood of Puerto Princesa RA 5906 Ratified
Tarlac, Tarlac Cityhood of Tarlac RA 5907 Rejected
Almagro, Samar Creation of Tagapul-an RA 5970 Failed to be held
November 8, 1971 Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental Creation of Pines RA 6022 Rejected
Lanuza, Surigao del Sur Creation of Carmen RA 6367 Ratified
Dupax, Nueva Vizcaya Creation of Dupax del Sur, and renaming the rest of Dupax as "Dupax del Norte" RA 6372 Ratified
Olongapo Renaming of Olongapo to "Pres. Magsaysay" RA 6340 Rejected
December 8, 1978 Dao, Antique Renaming of Dao to "Tobias Fornier" BP 10 Ratified
February 4, 1979 Gandara, Samar Creation of San Jorge BP 11 Ratified
Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte Creation of Tampilisan BP 14 Ratified
Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte Creation of Ponot BP 15 Ratified
April 3, 1979 Tarangnan, Samar Creation of Pagsanghan BP 16 Ratified
April 17, 1979 Labason, Zamboanga del Norte Creation of Gutalac BP 19 Ratified
May 20, 1979 Asuncion, Davao del Norte Creation of San Vicente BP 23 Ratified
July 10, 1979 Dupax del Norte and Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya Creation of Alfonso Castaňeda BP 27 Ratified
February 21, 1980 Malita, Davao del Sur Creation of Don Marcelino BP 47 Ratified
February 23, 1980 Malangas and Silay, Zamboanga del Sur Creation of Diplahan BP 48 Ratified
September 22, 1980 Bayugan, Agusan del Sur Creation of Sibagat BP 56 Ratified
Midsalip, Ramon Magsaysay, Mahayag, Dumingag and Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur Creation of Don Mariano Marcos BP 60 Ratified
December 2, 1980 Catarman, Samar Creation of Lope de Vega BP 69 Ratified
December 6, 1980 Mayoyao, Ifugao Creation of Aguinaldo BP 86 Ratified
Matalam, North Cotabato Creation of Antipas BP 88 Ratified
January 10, 1981 Carmona, Cavite Creation of General Mariano Alvarez BP 75 Ratified
April 7, 1981 Banga and Norala, South Cotabato Creation of Santo Niño BP 90 Ratified
Talibon and Trinidad, Bohol Creation of Bien Unido BP 93 Ratified
Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte Creation of Baliguian BP 101 Ratified
May 17, 1982 Carmen, North Cotabato Creation of Banisilan BP 141 Ratified
Salug, Zamboanga del Nortre Creation of Godod BP 146 Ratified
Balabagan, Lanao del Norte Creation of Kapatagan BP 168 Ratified
Clarin, Tudela and Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental Creation of Don Mariano Marcos BP 171 Ratified
Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur Creation of Vincenzo A. Sagun BP 173 Ratified
Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur Creation of Roseller Lim BP 183 Ratified
Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte Creation of Bacungan BP 204 Ratified
Pikit, North Cotabato Creation of Aleosan BP 206 Ratified
January 28, 1983 Hungduan and Banaue, Ifugao Creation of Tinoc BP 184 Ratified
Lagawe and Banaue, Ifugao Creation of Hingyon BP 239 Ratified
September 7, 1983 Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte Creation of Remedios T. Romualdez BP 236 Ratified
September 24, 1983 Maddela, Quirino Creation of Nagtipunan BP 345 Ratified
October 7, 1983 San Agustin, Romblon Creation of Imelda BP 234 Ratified
October 8, 1983 Quezon, Palawan Creation of Marcos BP 386 Ratified
October 15, 1983 Siasi, Sulu Creation of Pandami BP 324 Ratified
Tiboli and Surallah, South Cotabato Creation of Lake Sebu BP 249 Ratified
March 10, 1989 Caloocan Reorganization of barangays RA 6714 Rejected[21]
May 21, 1989 Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte Creation of Limasawa PP 392 s. 1989 Ratified
July 9, 1989 Kalamansig and Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat Creation of Senator Ninoy Aquino RA 6712 Ratified
December 31, 1989 Dinagat, Surigao del Norte Creation of San Jose RA 6769 Ratified
April 21, 1990 Tarlac, Tarlac Creation of San Jose RA 6842 Ratified
May 26, 1990 Labason, Zamboanga del Norte Creation of Kalawit RA 6851 Ratified
April 7, 1991 Buluan, Maguindanao Creation of General Salipada K. Pendatun MMAA 3 Ratified
November 24, 1991 Kapalong, Davao del Norte Creation of Talaingod RA 7081 Ratified
December 27, 1991 Magpet, North Cotabato Creation of Arakan RA 7152 Ratified
January 5, 1992 Dinas, San Miguel, Dumalinao and San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur Creation of Guipos RA 7159 Ratified
January 19, 1992 Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur Creation of Tigbao RA 7162 Ratified
July 5, 1992 Kiangan, Ifugao Creation of Asipulo RA 7173 Ratified
September 12, 1992 Culion leper colony, Palawan Creation of Culion RA 7193 Ratified
April 10, 1994 Mandaluyong Cityhood of Mandaluyong RA 7675 Ratified
May 5, 1994 Linapacan, Palawan Renaming of Linapacan to "Gaudencio E. Abordo" RA 6860 Rejected
Brooke's Point, Palawan Creation of Sofronio Española RA 7679 Ratified
May 28, 1994 San Vicente, Davao del Norte Renaming of San Vicente to "Laak" Ratified
July 6, 1994 Santiago, Isabela Cityhood of Santiago RA 7720 Ratified
January 21, 1995 Pasig Cityhood of Pasig RA 7829 Ratified
February 4, 1995 Makati Cityhood of Makati RA 7854 Ratified
May 8, 1995 Jordan and Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Creation of Sibunag RA 7896 Ratified
Jordan and Buenavista, Guimaras Creation of San Lorenzo RA 7897 Ratified
Muntinlupa Cityhood of Muntinlupa RA 7926 Ratified
October 1, 1995 Bongabon and Palayan, Nueva Ecija Transfer of Barangay Popolan from Bongabon to Palayan RA 8030 Ratified
March 10, 1996 Espiritu, Ilocos Norte Renaming of Espiritu to "Banna" SPR 120-95 Ratified
August 10, 1996 Sagay, Negros Occidental Cityhood of Sagay RA 8192 Ratified
February 15, 1997 Butig, Lumbatan, and Lumbayanagui, Lanao del Sur Creation of Sultan Dumalondong MMAA 36 Ratified
March 26, 1997 Las Piñas Cityhood of Las Piñas RA 8251 Ratified
May 12, 1997 Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija Conversion of Cabanatuan to a highly urbanized city PP 969. s. 1997 Rejected
August 2, 1997 Kabankalan, Negros Occidental Cityhood of Kabankalan RA 8297 Ratified
March 7, 1998 Babak, Samal and Kaputian, Davao del Norte Merger of Babak, Samal and Kaputian as the city of Samal RA 8471 Ratified
Tagum, Davao del Norte Cityhood of Tagum RA 8472 Ratified
Panabo and Carmen, Davao del Norte Creation of Braulio E. Dujali RA 8473 Ratified
March 14, 1998 Passi, Iloilo Cityhood of Passi RA 8469 Ratified
March 20, 1998 San Fernando, La Union Cityhood of San Fernando RA 8509 Ratified
March 21, 1998 Calapan, Oriental Mindoro Cityhood of Calapan RA 8475 Ratified
Talisay, Negros Occidental Cityhood of Talisay RA 8979 Ratified
Urdaneta, Pangasinan Cityhood of Urdaneta RA 8480 Ratified
Victorias, Negros Occidental Cityhood of Victorias RA 8488 Ratified
March 22, 1998 Malaybalay, Bukidnon Cityhood of Malaybalay RA 8490 Ratified
Kidapawan, North Cotabato Cityhood of Kidapawan RA 8500 Ratified
Parañaque Cityhood of Parañaque RA 8507 Ratified
April 4, 1998 Taguig Cityhood of Taguig RA 8487 Ratified[b]
Antipolo, Rizal Cityhood of Antipolo RA 8508 Ratified
April 18, 1998 Tarlac, Tarlac Cityhood of Tarlac RA 8593 Ratified
October 31, 1998 Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao Creation of Mamasapano MMAA 54 Ratified
December 30, 1998 Valenzuela Cityhood of Valenzuela RA 8526 Ratified
March 14, 1999 Ilagan, Isabela Cityhood of Ilagan RA 8474 Rejected
June 26, 1999 Talayan, Maguindanao Creation of Talitay MMAA 52 Ratified
October 23, 1999 Quezon City Creation of Novaliches City RA 8535 Rejected
December 18, 1999 Malolos, Bulacan Cityhood of Malolos RA 8754 Ratified
Tuguegarao, Cagayan Cityhood of Tuguegarao RA 8755 Ratified
March 18, 2000 Pagalungan, Maguindanao Creation of Pagagawan MMAA 95 Ratified
August 10, 2000 Maasin, Southern Leyte Cityhood of Maasin RA 8796 Ratified
September 8, 2000 Digos, Davao del Sur Cityhood of Digos RA 8798 Ratified
September 10, 2000 San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Cityhood of San Jose del Monte RA 8797 Ratified
September 18, 2000 Bislig, Surigao del Sur Cityhood of Bislig RA 8804 Ratified
Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat Cityhood of Tacurong RA 8805 Ratified
September 30, 2000 Masbate, Masbate Cityhood of Masbate RA 8807 Ratified
October 8, 2000 Koronadal, South Cotabato Cityhood of Koronadal RA 8803 Ratified
December 9, 2000 Muñoz, Nueva Ecija Cityhood of Muñoz RA 8977 Ratified
December 16, 2000 Bacon and Sorsogon, Sorsogon Merger of Bacon and Sorsogon as the city of Sorsogon RA 8806 Ratified
December 23, 2000 Bayawan, Negros Oriental Cityhood of Bayawan RA 8963 Ratified
December 30, 2000 Talisay, Cebu Cityhood of Talisay RA 8979 Ratified
Balanga, Bataan Cityhood of Balanga RA 8984 Ratified
Valencia, Bukidnon Cityhood of Valencia RA 8985 Ratified
January 22, 2001 Vigan, Ilocos Sur Cityhood of Vigan RA 8988 Ratified
February 3, 2001 San Fernando, Pampanga Cityhood of San Fernando RA 8990 Ratified
March 10, 2001 Tanauan, Batangas Cityhood of Tanauan RA 9005 Ratified
March 24, 2001 Ligao, Albay Cityhood of Ligao RA 9008 Ratified
Tabaco, Albay Cityhood of Tabaco RA 9020 Ratified
March 28, 2001 Candon, Ilocos Sur Cityhood of Candon RA 9018 Ratified
Alaminos, Pangasinan Cityhood of Alaminos RA 9025 Ratified
March 30, 2001 Cauayan, Isabela Cityhood of Cauayan RA 9017 Ratified
Meycauayan, Bulacan Cityhood of Meycauayan RA 9021 Rejected
March 31, 2001 Escalante, Negros Occidental Cityhood of Escalante RA 9014 Ratified
Panabo, Davao del Norte Cityhood of Panabo RA 9015 Ratified
Tanjay, Negros Oriental Cityhood of Tanjay RA 9026 Ratified
Sipalay, Negros Occidental Cityhood of Sipalay RA 9027 Ratified
Himamaylan, Negros Occidental Cityhood of Himamaylan RA 9028 Ratified
July 15, 2002 Busuanga and Culion, Palawan Transfer of Barangays Burabod and Halsey from Busuanga to Culion RA 9032 Ratified
Culion, Palawan Creation of Barangay De Carabao Ratified
June 6, 2004 Asuncion and Kapalong, Davao del Norte Creation of San Isidro RA 9265 Ratified
July 10, 2004 Santa Rosa, Laguna Cityhood of Santa Rosa RA 9264 Ratified
September 16, 2004 Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao Creation of Rajah Buayan MMAA 126 Ratified
November 27, 2004 Bayang and Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur Creation of Lumbaca-Unayan MMAA 106 Ratified
February 18, 2006 Tarlac City, Tarlac Conversion of Tarlac City to a highly urbanized city PP 940, s. 2005 Rejected
May 22, 2006 Tipo-Tipo, Basilan Creation of Ungkaya Pukan MMAA 190 Ratified
Creation of Al-Barka MMAA 191 Ratified
Tuburan, Basilan Creation of Hadji Mohammad Ajul MMAA 192 Ratified
Creation of Akbar MMAA 193 Ratified
September 16, 2006 Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi Creation of Sibutu MMAA 197 Ratified
Upi, Maguindanao Creation of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat MMAA 198 Ratified
December 10, 2006 Meycauayan, Bulacan Cityhood of Meycauayan RA 9356 Ratified
December 30, 2006 Buluan, Maguindanao Creation of Pandag MMAA 203 Ratified
Kabuntalan, Shariff Kabunsuan Creation of Northern Kabuntalan MMAA 206 Ratified
Talayan and Talitay, Maguindanao Creation of Datu Anggal Midtimbang MMAA 207 Ratified
June 16, 2007 San Juan Cityhood of San Juan RA 9388 Ratified
June 24, 2007 Navotas Cityhood of Navotas RA 9387 Ratified[22]
July 9, 2007 Puerto Princesa, Palawan Conversion of Puerto Princesa to a highly urbanized city PP 1264, s. 2007 Ratified[23]
July 21, 2007 Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu Conversion of Lapu-Lapu City to a highly urbanized city PP 1222, s. 2007 Ratified
August 25, 2007 Luuk, Sulu Creation of Omar MMAA 194 Ratified
Lantawan, Basilan Creation of Hadji Muhtamad MMAA 200 Ratified
December 18, 2008 Tacloban, Leyte Conversion of Tacloban to a highly urbanized city PP 1638, s. 2008 Ratified[24]
July 30, 2009 Shariff Aguak and Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Creation of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan MMAA 220 Ratified
Datu Saudi Ampatuan and  Datu Piang, Maguindanao Creation of Datu Salibo MMAA 222 Ratified
Shariff Aguak, Mamasapano, Datu Unsay, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Datu Piang, Maguindanao Creation of Shariff Saydona Mustapha MMAA 225 Ratified
November 25, 2009 Dasmariñas, Cavite Cityhood of Dasmariñas RA 9723 Ratified
June 23, 2012 Bacoor, Cavite Cityhood of Bacoor RA 10160 Ratified[25]
June 30, 2013 Imus, Cavite Cityhood of Imus RA 10161 Ratified[26]
July 21, 2012 Mabalacat, Pampanga Cityhood of Mabalacat RA 10164 Ratified[27]
August 4, 2012 Cabuyao, Laguna Cityhood of Cabuyao RA 10163 Ratified[28]
August 11, 2012 Ilagan, Isabela Cityhood of Ilagan RA 10169 Ratified[29]
December 28, 2013 San Pedro, Laguna Cityhood of San Pedro RA 10420 Ratified[30]
December 12, 2015 General Trias, Cavite Cityhood of General Trias RA 10675 Ratified[31]
March 24, 2018 Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte Creation of three barangays RA 10955 Ratified
April 7, 2018 Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur Renaming of Bumbaran to "Amai Manabilang" MMAA 316 Ratified
September 7, 2019 Santo Tomas, Batangas Cityhood of Santo Tomas RA 11086 Ratified[32]
September 3, 2022 Calaca, Batangas Cityhood of Calaca RA 11544 Ratified[33]
December 17, 2022 Baliwag, Bulacan Cityhood of Baliwag RA 11929 Ratified[34]
July 8, 2023 Carmona, Cavite Cityhood of Carmona RA 11938 Ratified[35]
April 13, 2024 Aleosan. Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, Pikit, Cotabato Creation of Kadayangan, Kapalawan, Ligawasan, Malidegao, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Pahamuddin, Tugunan BA 41–48 Ratified[36]
June 29, 2024 Las Piñas Redrawing of barangay boundaries CO 941-23 s. 2023 Ratified[37]
  1. ^ The Supreme Court ruled that the votes for cityhood must be more than a majority of registered voters, not just of those who voted.
  2. ^ Originally rejected, but a recount saw more votes for cityhood.

Barangay-level plebiscites

[edit]

There have also been plebiscites in barangays for renaming them or creating new ones, either from certain sitios or by dividing and merging existing barangays.[38] There have been hundreds of such plebiscites since the 1980s.

People's Initiative

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Main article: People's Initiative

People's Initiative refers to either a mode for constitutional amendment provided by the 1987 Philippine Constitution or to the act of pushing an initiative (national or local) allowed by the Initiative and Referendum Act of 1987.

While there had been no national people's initiative, there had been several attempts at one. In 2014, the People's Initiative against pork barrel had 10,000 signatures submitted to the Commission on Elections, but a referendum did not push through. In 2020, it was theorized that it could be used to grant ABS-CBN a new franchise, but it was seen by lawyer Emil Marañon "as legally problematic and practically impossible to hold."[39]

Local initiatives are possible. The first initiative under the Initiative and Referendum Act was in Barangay Miragrosa, Quezon City, to stop the continued influx of informal settlers and the sale of illegal drugs in 2011. The initiative passed, with 465 in favor and 384 against, out of 3,665 registered voters eligible to participate.[40]

Local initiatives

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Date Location Proposition Result
May 14, 2011 Barangay Milagrosa, Quezon City Banning illegal settlers, mendicants, abusive barangay officials, and drug trafficking Ratified[41]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Republic Act No. 6735". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. August 4, 1989. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  3. ^ Butuyan, Joel Ruiz (November 12, 2018). "An antidynasty law via people's initiative". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  4. ^ Villarroel, Fidel (2009). "Philip II and the "Philippine Referendum" of 1599". In Ramírez, Dámaso de Lario (ed.). Re-shaping the World: Philip II of Spain and His Time (illustrated ed.). Ateneo de Manila University Press. pp. 93–133. ISBN 978-971-550-556-7.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "The referendum scorecard 1935–1987". Manuel L. Quezon III. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  6. ^ Andersen, Regine (2008), Governing agrobiodiversity: plant genetics and developing countries, Ashgate, p. 218, ISBN 978-0-7546-4741-6.
  7. ^ Philippines, 15 January 1973: Constitution Direct Democracy (in German)
  8. ^ a b "Comelec ratifies Bangsamoro Organic Law". BusinessMirror. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  9. ^ Laqui, Ian. "Supreme Court: Sulu not part of BARMM". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  10. ^ "Sixty-three of 67 North Cotabato barangays voted for inclusion in BARMM". Manila Bulletin. February 14, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  11. ^ "Voters approve new Mindanao province". Philippine Information Agency. November 1, 2006. Retrieved August 9, 2006.
  12. ^ Unson, John (January 11, 2009). "Shariff Kabunsuan province abolished". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  13. ^ Dinagat isles land provincehood status Archived December 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, SunStar Cagayan de Oro
  14. ^ Nachura, Antonio Eduardo B. (April 12, 2011). "G.R. No. 180050, Promulgated: April 12, 2011". Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  15. ^ Mallari, Delfin T. Jr. (August 15, 2011). "Quezon split sponsors optimistic in 2nd try". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  16. ^ Carillo, C.A. (November 10, 2013). "Davao Occidental province to be created". BusinessWorld. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  17. ^ Balasbas, Rhommel (December 9, 2019). "Compostella (sic) Valley tatawagin nang Davao de Oro" [Compostela Valley now to be called Davao de Oro]. Radyo Inquirer 990 AM (in Filipino). Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  18. ^ Jaymalin, Mayen. "All set for Palawan plebiscite". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  19. ^ "Maguindanao mahahati sa 2 probinsya matapos ang plebisito". ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  20. ^ Leon, Dwight de (2023-11-01). "Bulacan rejects San Jose del Monte's bid to be independent from province". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  21. ^ Mahilum, E. (March 11, 2023). "Voter turnout low for KC plebiscite". Manila Standard. p. 9. Retrieved April 6, 2024 – via Google Books.
  22. ^ "Navotas now a city, despite dismal plebiscite turnout". GMA News Online. 2007-06-25. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  23. ^ Jr, Claudio Daquer. "Puerto Princesa now a highly urbanized city". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  24. ^ Docdocan, Ranulfo (2009-12-22). "Tacloban residents make city history with plebiscite". ABS-CBN News.
  25. ^ "Bacoor now a city in Cavite after plebiscite; Imus town next". GMA News Online. 2012-06-24. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  26. ^ Times, The Manila (2012-07-02). "Imus converted into city following plebiscite". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  27. ^ Jr, Reynaldo Santos (2012-07-22). "Mabalacat now officially Pampanga's 3rd city". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  28. ^ "Cabuyao, Laguna, is newest city". INQUIRER.net. 2012-08-06. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  29. ^ Inquirer, Philippine Daily (2012-08-12). "Ilagan now 4th city in Cagayan Valley". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  30. ^ Bueza, Michael (2013-12-31). "San Pedro approved as Laguna's 6th city". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  31. ^ Elemia, Camille (2015-12-13). "General Trias in Cavite now a city". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  32. ^ Cinco, Maricar (2019-09-08). "Sto. Tomas is Batangas' newest city". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  33. ^ Sarao, Zacarian (2022-09-04). "Calaca town in Batangas now a city after plebiscite – Comelec". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  34. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (2022-12-18). "Baliwag is now Bulacan's fourth city after plebiscite". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  35. ^ Leon, Dwight de (2023-07-08). "Plebiscite results are in: Cavite's Carmona is Philippines' newest city". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  36. ^ "Creation of 8 new towns in BARMM's SGA ratified". MindaNews. April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  37. ^ Ombay, Giselle (2024-06-30). "Las Piñas residents vote 'yes' in plebiscite on setting barangay boundaries". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  38. ^ "Caloocan voters OK splitting Bagong Silang into 6 barangays". ABS-CBN. September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  39. ^ "What you need to know about people's initiative". Rappler. July 13, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  40. ^ Aning, Jerome (May 8, 2011). "QC barangay holds 1st successful initiative vs squatters, drugs". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  41. ^ Aning, Jerome (2011-05-18). "QC barangay holds 1st successful initiative vs squatters, drugs". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
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