2006_Shariff_Kabunsuan_creation_plebiscite
The Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite was a plebiscite on the creation of the Province of Shariff Kabunsuan in the Philippines. The plebiscite was conducted on October 28, 2006[1] and results were announced on October 31, 2006.
The proposed province — named after Shariff Mohammed Kabungsuwan, an Arab-Malay Islamic preacher who introduced Islam to central Mindanao in the 16th century,[2] — was established under Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201 which was signed into law by ARMM Regional Governor Zaldy Ampatuan on September 7, 2006.[3] MMAA 201 provided for the creation of a new province comprising the nine municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Upi, all of the first legislative district of the province of Maguindanao.[3] A tenth municipality, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, was created within the proposed province on September 16, 2006,[4] weeks prior to the actual plebiscite for the creation of the province.
Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. originally pushed for the creation of the new province to "decentralize governance and maximize development in poor Muslim communities, most of which have been areas of armed conflict for decades."[5] He and his son ARMM Regional Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, campaigned for the creation of Shariff Kabunsuan to better extend government services to residents, particularly those in the "precipitous" parts of the area.[6]
