DBM to BARMM, Sulu: Maintain status quo after SC ruling

THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday urged the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Sulu to maintain “status quo,” following the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to exclude the province from the region.

In a statement, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the national government acknowledges the SC ruling and would wait for its final decision on Sulu’s fate.

“Accordingly, while the decision states that it is immediately executory, it is prudent to wait for it to reach finality, considering the significant implications for its enforcement – to ensure that when commenced, the same had already attained a state of immutability,” Pangandaman said.

“In the meantime, we encourage all the stakeholders in the BARMM and in the province of Sulu to maintain the status quo,” she added.

She said the salaries and benefits of local government personnel in Sulu would continue and are to be charged against available local government funds.

Those for the personnel of the various provincial field offices in the different ministries under the BARMM government would continue to be charged against their corresponding appropriations from the annual Block Grant.

Pangandaman said the Marcos administration would exert all efforts to ensure a smooth transition, adding that it would take a whole-of-government approach for the continued delivery of essential government services.

She said the programs, projects, and activities for Sulu funded by the Bangsamoro Government under its 2024 General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro should continue until the finality of the SC ruling.

“Pertinent provisions on the validity of appropriations shall apply accordingly. Considering the SC Ruling, funding for PAPs for the Province shall already be excluded from BARMM’s annual budget for the succeeding fiscal years.,” she said.

She said future guidelines would be discussed by the national government and Bangsamoro government’s Intergovernmental Relations Body with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the future transition, in compliance with the SC decision on Sulu’s separation from BARMM.

Pangandaman said "as a daughter of Mindanao and co-chair of the National Government–Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body,” she expressed her strong and continued support in sustaining and preserving the significant gains that have been achieved for BARMM’s self-governance, peace and lasting growth.

“The DBM stands in full support of the BARMM and Sulu province as both parties begin to thresh out their respective concerns over the SC ruling,” she said.

“We will be here to guide and extend our assistance whenever needed as we continue to realize our shared vision of a peaceful, progressive, and thriving Mindanao,” Pangandaman added.

In a unanimous decision, the SC on Sept. 9 ruled that Sulu is not part of the BARMM after the province rejected the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

The BOL, which was enacted on July 27, 2018, provides for the establishment of BARMM as a political entity and its corresponding basic governmental structure. (Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)