Republic of the Philippines |
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES °
Quezon City :

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 1357

Introduced by REP. SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” |. MASTURA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Cotabato City, officially known as the City of Cotabato, is a 3rd class
independent component city in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao, Philippines. The city was chartered by the virtue of Republic Act No.
2364 on June 20, 1959.

Cotabato City was formerly a part of the regional center of Region Xil
(SOCCSKSARGEN), but due to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, itis
now part of Bangsamoro and serves as the regional center. Being an independent
component city, it is not a subject to regulation from the Provincial Government of
Maguindanao where it is geographically located ‘

‘According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 325,079 people,” making
it the most populated city under the independent component city status. Based on
the 250,000 population benchmark used for the 4986 apportionment of legislative
districts and as prescribed in Section 5, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, Cotabato
City is entitled to become a separate legislative district.

In view of its vital importance, the approval of this bill is earns

| AAS
Representative, Fl
Maguindanao with Cotabato City

' Philippine Information Agency, Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived
from 1 on 18 June 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2018. This article incorporates text from this

2 Census of Population (2020). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality
and Barangay. Retrieved 8 July 2021



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1357

Introduced by REP. SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REAPPORTIONMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF
MAGUINDANAO INTO THREE (3) LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. On the next national and local elections after the effectivity of this
Act, the Province of Maguindanao is hereby reapportioned into three (3) legislative
districts, as follows:

a. First Legislative District - The First Legislative District shall be composed
of the municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Datu Odin  Sinsuat,
(Dinaig), Kabuntalan, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Upi, Sultan
Mastura (established 2003), Datu Blah T. Sinsuat (established
2006), Northern Kabuntalan (established 2006);

b. Second Legislative District - The Second Legislative District shall be
composed of the municipalities of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Paglas, Datu

Piang, Pagalungan, Shariff Aguak, South Upi, Sultan sa
Barongis, Talayan, General S. K. Pendatun (established
1991), Mamasapano (established 1998), Sultan Sumagka

(Talitay) (established 1999), Datu Montawal _ (Pagagawan) (established
2000), Paglat (established 2001), Guindulungan (established 2003), Datu
Saudi-Ampatuan (established 2003), Datu Unsay (established 2003), Datu
Abdullah Sangki (established 2004), Rajan —_ Buayan (established
2004), Pandag (established 2006), Mangudadatu (established 2006), Datu
‘Anggal Midtimbang (established 2006), Datu Hoffer Ampatuan (established
2008), Datu Salibo (established 2009), Shariff Saydona
Mustapha (established 2009)


c. Third Legislative District - The Third Legislative District shall be composed of
the lone City of Cotabato

Sec. 2. The incumbent Representatives of the First and Second Legislative
Districts if the Province of Maguindanao shall continue to represent the Legislative
Districts until the new Representatives of the First, Second and Third Legislative
Districts shall have been elected and qualified.

Sec. 3. The Commission on Elections shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations to implement this Act.

Sec. 4. All laws, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly

Sec. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,