President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order (EO) 91, declaring Sulu as part of the Zamboanga Peninsula, to ensure the continuity of government operations and uninterrupted delivery of critical public services in the country.
Mr. Marcos signed EO 91 following a Supreme Court ruling excluding Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
During the transition period covering fiscal year 2025, Sulu’s provincial government, along with its component local government units and relevant national government agencies (NGAs), is directed to “make all reasonable efforts to facilitate a phased and seamless transition.”
The Bangsamoro government, Sulu’s provincial government, and its component LGUs may enter into appropriate institutional arrangements or mechanisms aimed at sustaining the implementation and financing of programs, activities, and projects to ensure continued and uninterrupted services.
Under EO 91, a technical working group (TWG) is created to oversee and monitor the implementation of the SC decision, prepare and issue a transition plan, and resolve issues and concerns arising from the implementation of the high court’s ruling.
The TWG will be chaired by the Budget Secretary, co-chaired by the Minister of the Interior and Local Government and vice chaired by the Local Government Secretary.
Members include the Sulu governor and representatives of the NGAs and the Bangsamoro government.
The TWG is instructed to submit to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, an annual report on the implementation of the order.
Personnel holding permanent posts who may be affected by the transition have the option to apply for transfer to positions in agencies, either under the BARMM government, the executive branch, or LGUs with an equivalent rank, level, or salary.
