SC denies motions to reverse ruling separating Sulu from BARMM

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MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied the motions to reverse its ruling to separate Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

According to the SC spokesperson, lawyer Camille Sue Ting, the SC en banc resolved to deny the motions filed by the BARMM government and the Office of the Solicitor General, among others.

“The decision is final and executory immediately. No further pleadings will be entertained,” Ting said.

On September 9, the high court ruled that Sulu province is not part of Barmm, citing the result of a 2019 plebiscite where 54 percent of Sulu voters cast negative votes, effectively opting out of the province’s inclusion in the region.

READ: BARMM to sustain services in Sulu despite split

The timing of the decision put the BARMM government in disarray as the region is set to conduct its first-ever parliamentary elections in May 2025.