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Referendums in the Philippines are occasionally held at a national, regional or local level. Referendums can either by national or local in scope. In the Philippines, "referendums" and "plebiscites" mean different things.

## Terminology

[edit]

According to the Initiative and Referendum Act, a referendum is "the power of the electorate to approve or reject a legislation through an election called for the purpose." A plebiscite, on the other hand, is "the electoral process by which an initiative on the Constitution is approved or rejected by the people."[1]

### Referendums

[edit]

The constitution mandates a referendum for these instances:[2]

* Adoption of a new name for the country, or a new national anthem or a new seal
* Allowing foreign military troops in the Philippines if Congress requires

The Initiative and Referendum Act allows for referendums on these cases:[1]

* A petition of at least 10% of registered voters, with 3% within every legislative district for local initiatives
* If there is only one legislative district in a province, city or municipality, it has to be 3% within each municipality in a province, or each barangay in a city
* For barangay initiatives, it has to be at least 10% of registered voters
* A local legislative body can also submit to the electorate approval of any ordinance or resolution

### Plebiscites

[edit]

The constitution requires a plebiscite for these:[2]

* Creation, division, merger, abolishment or major boundary changes of a province, city, municipality or barangay (village).
* Creation of special metropolitan political subdivisions
* Creation of autonomous regions
* Approval of an amendment or revision to the constitution

The Initiative and Referendum Act allows for plebiscites on these cases:[1]

* A petition of at least 12% of registered voters, with 3% within every legislative district, for amending the constitution

However, the Supreme Court declared the Initiative and Referendum Act procedures for amending the constitution as fatally defective, although it did not affect the operation of the law for other types of initiatives.[3]

### Other

[edit]

The constitution allows Congress to submit to the electorate the question of calling a constitutional convention; it did not specify what kind of balloting this is.[2]

## Administration

[edit]

Just like any other electoral exercise, referendums and plebiscites are administered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

## National referendums

[edit]

### Spanish colonial period

[edit]

Main article: 1599 Philippines sovereignty referendums

In 1599, King Philip II of Spain ordered a referendum in several areas to confirm Spanish sovereignty in the islands. It was approved.[4]

### American colonial period

[edit]

In 1935, the first national plebiscite was held, for the ratification of the 1935 constitution. This was seen as an independence referendum, and those in favor of adoption the constitution overwhelmingly outnumbered those who were opposed.[5]

Two years later, a plebiscite asked women if they wanted suffrage for themselves. Unlike other referendums, 300,000 votes to the affirmative were needed; Filipino women turned out in droves, with more than 447,000 voting for suffrage.[5]

Two years later, a plebiscite asked the people about economic adjustments. These were amendments to the Tydings–McDuffie Act. The people overwhelmingly approved the amendments.[5]

In 1940, a plebiscite asked three questions to the people. These were amendments to the constitution that restored the bicameral Congress, allowed the re-election of the president, and created the Commission on Elections. The people approved all three, but not as overwhelmingly as the 1935 and 1939 plebiscites.[5]

### Third Republic

[edit]

The Americans granted independence to the Philippines on July 4, 1946. Prior to that, Congress passed Commonwealth Act No. 733, the local version of the Bell Trade Act passed by the United States Congress, which include parity rights for both Filipino and American citizens to exploit Philippine natural resources.[6] As this meant amending the constitution, a plebiscite was called after it was passed by the Philippine Congress by much difficulty. Turnout was low, but the measure was approved by the people by a 5:1 margin.[5]

By 1967, there were moves to revise the constitution. Congress passed amendments to the constitution where it increased the number of congressmen, and allowed incumbent members of Congress to sit in the incoming constitutional convention. In a plebiscite held together with the 1967 Senate election, the people overwhelmingly rejected both questions. This was the only time the government lost.[5] A constitutional convention was elected in 1970, and new constitution was put to a plebiscite in 1973.[7]

### Martial law and Fourth Republic

[edit]

President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law on September 23, 1972. Martial law prevented Congress to convene. The constitutional convention presented to him the draft constitution by December 1972. Meanwhile, some senators have been organizing to convene on the supposed resumption of Congress by January 22, 1973. Marcos then created barangay or citizens' assemblies. These assemblies, instead of via secret ballot, voted via showing of hands on the new constitution, and whether to hold another plebiscite for approving the constitution, from January 10 to 15, 1973. The citizens' assemblies overwhelmingly approved the constitution, and voted not to hold another plebiscite.[5]

Marcos had several more referendums, all being voted by citizens' assemblies, and won on overwhelming margins.[5]

### Fifth Republic

[edit]

Marcos was overthrown after the People Power Revolution, where he was alleged to have cheated during the 1986 presidential election. Corazon Aquino, Marcos's opponent, became president, and did away with the 1973 constitution. She appointed a constitutional commission that drafted a new constitution. This was then approved by the people in a plebiscite in a margin of more than 3:1.[5]

## Local plebiscites

[edit]

Local plebiscites have mostly been for the creation, inclusion to, or division of new autonomous regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.

This is a list of local plebiscites, from the regional down to the municipal level. A law, proclamation, resolution, or ordinance has to be passed for a plebiscite to take place.

Acronym  | Meaning  | Implementing agency

|
|

BA  | Bangsamoro Act  | Bangsamoro Parliament
BP  | Batas Pambansa (National Law)  | Batasang Pambansa (National Legislature)
CO  | City Ordinance  | Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council)
MMAA  | Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act  | ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly
PD  | Presidential Decree  | President of the Philippines
PP  | Presidential Proclamation  | President of the Philippines
RA  | Republic Act  | Congress of the Philippines
SPR  | Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution  | Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board)

### Regional-level plebiscites

[edit]

These plebiscites asked for the creation of, or the inclusion of a place, in an autonomous region.

The 1987 constitution states that there are two autonomous regions: Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera. Five successful plebiscites in Mindanao have led to the creation of the present-day Bangsamoro via a 2019 plebiscite. In the Cordillera, two plebiscites have failed, the latest in 1998, and it is still treated as a regular administrative region.

Date  | Location  | Proposition  | Enabling law  | Result

|
|
|
|

April 17, 1977 | Central Mindanao, Davao del Sur, Palawan, South Cotabato and Western Mindanao | Creation of autonomous regions in Mindanao  | PD 1092
PD 1098
PD 1111 | Ratified for two regions
May 17, 1982  | Central Mindanao and Western Mindanao | Merger of Lupong Tagapagpaganap of Regions IX and XII as one executive body  | PD 1843 | Rejected
November 19, 1989 | Central Mindanao, Davao del Sur, Palawan, South Cotabato and Western Mindanao | Creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao | RA 6734 | Ratified in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, rejected elsewhere
January 30, 1990 | Cordillera Administrative Region | Creation of the Cordillera Autonomous Region  | RA 6766 | Ratified in Ifugao, rejected elsewhere; ratification nullified by the Supreme Court.[a]
March 8, 1998 | Cordillera Administrative Region | Creation of the Cordillera Autonomous Region  | RA 8438 | Rejected
August 14, 2001 | Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao | Increased autonomy, expansion of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao | RA 9054 | Ratified in every province
Central Mindanao, Palawan, Southern Mindanao, Western Mindanao | Inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao | Ratified in Basilan and Marawi, rejected elsewhere
January 21 and February 6, 2019 | Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao | Creation of the Bangsamoro | RA 11054 | Originally ratified in the original ARMM,[8] then nullified in Sulu by the Supreme Court.[9]
Basilan, Cotabato City, Lanao del Norte, 7 municipalities in Cotabato | Inclusion to the Bangsamoro | Ratified in Cotabato City[8] and 63 barangays in Cotabato,[10] rejected elsewhere

1. ^ The Supreme Court ruled that autonomous regions should consist of more than one province.

### Provincial-level plebiscites

[edit]

These plebiscites asked for the creation of a province or involved an entire province. A group of cities and municipalities (most usually a legislative district or, formerly, sub-provinces) that aim to become provinces have provincehood (in the case of legislative districts) or conversion (in the case of sub-provinces) plebiscites. There had also been plebiscites asking for the transfer of the provincial capital from one municipality to another, the selection of a provincial capital, and the renaming of a province. There was also a plebiscite asking a province if they would approve the conversion of a component city within that province to a highly urbanized city. A "highly urbanized city" is politically, administratively, and fiscally independent from a province.

Date  | Location  | Proposition  | Enabling law  | Result

|
|
|
|

November 12, 1965  | Samar | Division of Samar to create the provinces of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Western Samar (renamed in 1969 as "Samar")  | RA 4221 | Ratified
November 14, 1967  | Agusan | Division of Agusan to create the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur | RA 4979 | Ratified
November 11, 1969 | Nueva Vizcaya | Creation of the sub-province of Quirino  | RA 5554 | Ratified
November 9, 1971 | Quirino | Conversion of Quirino to a province  | RA 6394  | Ratified
November 9, 1971 | Siquijor | Conversion of Siquijor to a province  | RA 6398  | Ratified
Selection of provincial capital  | Siquijor was chosen
April 17, 1977 | Basilan | Confirmation on the conversion of City of Basilan to a province  | PD 1111 | Ratified
North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat | Confirmation of the division of Cotabato to create the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat | Ratified
Tawi-Tawi | Confirmation of the creation of Tawi-Tawi | Ratified
May 20, 1979  | Aurora | Conversion of Aurora to a province  | BA 7 | Ratified
March 5, 1982  | Lanao del Norte | Transfer of the provincial capital from Iligan to Tubod | BP 181 | Ratified
December 18, 1982  | Maguindanao | Transfer of the provincial capital from Sultan Kudarat to Maganoy | PD 1170 | Ratified
January 3, 1986  | Part of Negros Occidental | Creation of Negros del Norte | BP 885 | Ratified; then nullified by the Supreme Court[a]
May 11, 1992 | Biliran | Conversion of Biliran to a province  | RA 7160 | Ratified
Guimaras | Conversion of Guimaras to a province  | Ratified
May 8, 1995  | Kalinga-Apayao | Conversion of Apayao and Kalinga to separate provinces  | RA 7878 | Ratified
June 20, 1995  | Isabela | Division of Isabela to create the provinces of Isabela del Norte and Isabela del Sur  | RA 7891 | Rejected
March 8, 1998  | Davao del Norte | Creation of Compostela Valley | RA 8470 | Ratified
February 22, 2001 | Zamboanga del Sur | Creation of Zamboanga Sibugay | RA 8973  | Ratified
October 28, 2006 | Maguindanao | Creation of Shariff Kabunsuan | MMAA 201  | Ratified;[11] then nullified by the Supreme Court[b]
December 5, 2006 | Surigao del Norte | Creation of Dinagat Islands | RA 9355 | Ratified;[13][c]
March 29, 2008  | Basilan | Creation of Tabuan-Lasa | MMAA 187  | Ratified
December 13, 2008 | Quezon | Creation of the Quezon del Sur, and renaming the rest of Quezon as "Quezon del Norte"  | RA 9495 | Rejected[15]
October 28, 2013 | Davao del Sur | Creation of Davao Occidental | RA 10360 | Ratified[16]
December 7, 2019 | Compostela Valley | Renaming of Compostela Valley to "Davao de Oro"  | RA 11297 | Ratified[17]
March 13, 2021 | Palawan | Division of Palawan to create the provinces of Palawan del Norte, Palawan del Sur, and Palawan Oriental  | RA 11259 | Rejected[18]
September 17, 2022 | Maguindanao | Division of Maguindanao to create the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur | RA 11150 | Ratified[19]
October 30, 2023 | Bulacan | Conversion of San Jose del Monte to a highly urbanized city | PP 1057 s. 2020 | Rejected[20]

1. ^ The Supreme Court ruled that the province does not meet the requirements of the 1983 Local Government Code, and by not including the rest of Negros Occidental in the plebiscite.
2. ^ The Supreme Court ruled that the creation of legislative districts, and provinces by extension, by a body other than Congress as unconstitutional[12]
3. ^ Originally nullified by the Supreme Court as the province did not pass the minimum requirements for becoming a province, but the court reversed its original ruling[14]

### Municipal- and city-level plebiscites

[edit]

These plebiscites involved entire municipalities or cities, asked for the incorporation of a new municipality, or asked for cityhood. Most plebiscites involving entire municipalities ask for its cityhood, conversion from being a component city to a highly urbanized city (see provincial-level plebiscites section above), creation of a new municipality from a group of barangays within it, its renaming, the creation of new barangays, transfer of one barangay from one municipality to another, or merger with other municipalities in order to become a city.

Date  | Location  | Proposition  | Enabling law  | Result

|
|
|
|

November 14, 1961  | Caloocan, Rizal  | Cityhood of Caloocan  | RA 3278  | Ratified
November 12, 1963  | Angeles, Pampanga  | Cityhood of Angeles  | RA 3700 | Ratified
Ligao, Albay  | Creation of Pioduran | RA 3187  | Ratified
November 9, 1965  | Bago, Negros Occidental  | Cityhood of Bago  | RA 4382 | Ratified
General Santos, Cotabato  | Cityhood of General Santos, and renaming it to "Rajah Buayan"  | RA 4413  | Rejected[a]
San Carlos, Pangasinan  | Cityhood of San Carlos  | RA 4487 | Ratified
Laoag, Ilocos Norte  | Cityhood of Laoag  | RA 4584 | Ratified
La Carlota, Negros Occidental  | Cityhood of La Carlota  | RA 4585 | Ratified
Batangas, Batangas  | Cityhood of Batangas, and renaming it to "Laurel City"  | RA 4586 | Rejected
November 11, 1969  | Puerto Princesa, Palawan  | Cityhood of Puerto Princesa  | RA 5906 | Ratified
Tarlac, Tarlac  | Cityhood of Tarlac  | RA 5907  | Rejected
Almagro, Samar  | Creation of Tagapul-an | RA 5970  | Failed to be held
November 8, 1971  | Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental  | Creation of Pines  | RA 6022  | Rejected
Lanuza, Surigao del Sur  | Creation of Carmen | RA 6367 | Ratified
Dupax, Nueva Vizcaya  | Creation of Dupax del Sur, and renaming the rest of Dupax as "Dupax del Norte"  | RA 6372  | Ratified
Olongapo | Renaming of Olongapo to "Pres. Magsaysay"  | RA 6340  | Rejected
December 8, 1978  | Dao, Antique  | Renaming of Dao to "Tobias Fornier"  | BP 10 | Ratified
February 4, 1979  | Gandara, Samar  | Creation of San Jorge | BP 11 | Ratified
Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte  | Creation of Tampilisan | BP 14 | Ratified
Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte  | Creation of Ponot | BP 15 | Ratified
April 3, 1979  | Tarangnan, Samar  | Creation of Pagsanghan | BP 16 | Ratified
April 17, 1979  | Labason, Zamboanga del Norte  | Creation of Gutalac | BP 19  | Ratified
May 20, 1979  | Asuncion, Davao del Norte  | Creation of San Vicente | BP 23  | Ratified
July 10, 1979  | Dupax del Norte and Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya  | Creation of Alfonso Castaňeda | BP 27 | Ratified
February 21, 1980  | Malita, Davao del Sur  | Creation of Don Marcelino | BP 47 | Ratified
February 23, 1980  | Malangas and Silay, Zamboanga del Sur  | Creation of Diplahan | BP 48 | Ratified
September 22, 1980  | Bayugan, Agusan del Sur  | Creation of Sibagat | BP 56  | Ratified
Midsalip, Ramon Magsaysay, Mahayag, Dumingag and Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur  | Creation of Don Mariano Marcos | BP 60  | Ratified
December 2, 1980  | Catarman, Samar  | Creation of Lope de Vega | BP 69 | Ratified
December 6, 1980  | Mayoyao, Ifugao  | Creation of Aguinaldo | BP 86  | Ratified
Matalam, North Cotabato  | Creation of Antipas | BP 88  | Ratified
January 10, 1981  | Carmona, Cavite  | Creation of General Mariano Alvarez | BP 75  | Ratified
April 7, 1981  | Banga and Norala, South Cotabato  | Creation of Santo Niño | BP 90  | Ratified
Talibon and Trinidad, Bohol  | Creation of Bien Unido | BP 93 | Ratified
Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte  | Creation of Baliguian | BP 101  | Ratified
May 17, 1982  | Carmen, North Cotabato  | Creation of Banisilan | BP 141  | Ratified
Salug, Zamboanga del Nortre  | Creation of Godod | BP 146  | Ratified
Balabagan, Lanao del Norte  | Creation of Kapatagan | BP 168  | Ratified
Clarin, Tudela and Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental  | Creation of Don Mariano Marcos | BP 171  | Ratified
Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur  | Creation of Vincenzo A. Sagun | BP 173  | Ratified
Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur  | Creation of Roseller Lim | BP 183  | Ratified
Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte  | Creation of Bacungan | BP 204  | Ratified
Pikit, North Cotabato  | Creation of Aleosan | BP 206  | Ratified
January 28, 1983  | Hungduan and Banaue, Ifugao  | Creation of Tinoc | BP 184  | Ratified
Lagawe and Banaue, Ifugao  | Creation of Hingyon | BP 239 | Ratified
September 7, 1983  | Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte  | Creation of Remedios T. Romualdez | BP 236 | Ratified
September 24, 1983  | Maddela, Quirino  | Creation of Nagtipunan | BP 345 | Ratified
October 7, 1983  | San Agustin, Romblon  | Creation of Imelda | BP 234  | Ratified
October 8, 1983  | Quezon, Palawan  | Creation of Marcos | BP 386 | Ratified
October 15, 1983  | Siasi, Sulu  | Creation of Pandami | BP 324 | Ratified
Tiboli and Surallah, South Cotabato  | Creation of Lake Sebu | BP 249  | Ratified
March 10, 1989  | Caloocan | Reorganization of barangays  | RA 6714 | Rejected[21]
May 21, 1989  | Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte  | Creation of Limasawa | PP 392 s. 1989 | Ratified
July 9, 1989  | Kalamansig and Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat  | Creation of Senator Ninoy Aquino | RA 6712 | Ratified
December 31, 1989  | Dinagat, Surigao del Norte  | Creation of San Jose | RA 6769 | Ratified
April 21, 1990  | Tarlac, Tarlac  | Creation of San Jose | RA 6842 | Ratified
May 26, 1990  | Labason, Zamboanga del Norte  | Creation of Kalawit | RA 6851 | Ratified
April 7, 1991  | Buluan, Maguindanao  | Creation of General Salipada K. Pendatun | MMAA 3  | Ratified
November 24, 1991  | Kapalong, Davao del Norte  | Creation of Talaingod | RA 7081 | Ratified
December 27, 1991  | Magpet, North Cotabato  | Creation of Arakan | RA 7152 | Ratified
January 5, 1992  | Dinas, San Miguel, Dumalinao and San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur  | Creation of Guipos | RA 7159  | Ratified
January 19, 1992  | Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur  | Creation of Tigbao | RA 7162 | Ratified
July 5, 1992  | Kiangan, Ifugao  | Creation of Asipulo | RA 7173 | Ratified
September 12, 1992  | Culion leper colony, Palawan  | Creation of Culion | RA 7193 | Ratified
April 10, 1994  | Mandaluyong | Cityhood of Mandaluyong  | RA 7675 | Ratified
May 5, 1994  | Linapacan, Palawan  | Renaming of Linapacan to "Gaudencio E. Abordo"  | RA 6860  | Rejected
Brooke's Point, Palawan  | Creation of Sofronio Española | RA 7679  | Ratified
May 28, 1994  | San Vicente, Davao del Norte  | Renaming of San Vicente to "Laak"  |  | Ratified
July 6, 1994  | Santiago, Isabela  | Cityhood of Santiago  | RA 7720 | Ratified
January 21, 1995  | Pasig | Cityhood of Pasig  | RA 7829 | Ratified
February 4, 1995  | Makati | Cityhood of Makati  | RA 7854 | Ratified
May 8, 1995  | Jordan and Nueva Valencia, Guimaras  | Creation of Sibunag | RA 7896 | Ratified
Jordan and Buenavista, Guimaras  | Creation of San Lorenzo | RA 7897 | Ratified
Muntinlupa | Cityhood of Muntinlupa  | RA 7926 | Ratified
October 1, 1995  | Bongabon and Palayan, Nueva Ecija  | Transfer of Barangay Popolan from Bongabon to Palayan  | RA 8030 | Ratified
March 10, 1996  | Espiritu, Ilocos Norte  | Renaming of Espiritu to "Banna"  | SPR 120-95  | Ratified
August 10, 1996  | Sagay, Negros Occidental  | Cityhood of Sagay  | RA 8192  | Ratified
February 15, 1997  | Butig, Lumbatan, and Lumbayanagui, Lanao del Sur  | Creation of Sultan Dumalondong | MMAA 36  | Ratified
March 26, 1997  | Las Piñas | Cityhood of Las Piñas  | RA 8251 | Ratified
May 12, 1997  | Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija  | Conversion of Cabanatuan to a highly urbanized city  | PP 969. s. 1997 | Rejected
August 2, 1997  | Kabankalan, Negros Occidental  | Cityhood of Kabankalan  | RA 8297 | Ratified
March 7, 1998  | Babak, Samal and Kaputian, Davao del Norte  | Merger of Babak, Samal and Kaputian as the city of Samal | RA 8471 | Ratified
Tagum, Davao del Norte  | Cityhood of Tagum  | RA 8472  | Ratified
Panabo and Carmen, Davao del Norte  | Creation of Braulio E. Dujali | RA 8473 | Ratified
March 14, 1998  | Passi, Iloilo  | Cityhood of Passi  | RA 8469  | Ratified
March 20, 1998  | San Fernando, La Union  | Cityhood of San Fernando  | RA 8509  | Ratified
March 21, 1998  | Calapan, Oriental Mindoro  | Cityhood of Calapan  | RA 8475  | Ratified
Talisay, Negros Occidental  | Cityhood of Talisay  | RA 8979  | Ratified
Urdaneta, Pangasinan  | Cityhood of Urdaneta  | RA 8480  | Ratified
Victorias, Negros Occidental  | Cityhood of Victorias  | RA 8488 | Ratified
March 22, 1998  | Malaybalay, Bukidnon  | Cityhood of Malaybalay  | RA 8490  | Ratified
Kidapawan, North Cotabato  | Cityhood of Kidapawan  | RA 8500  | Ratified
Parañaque | Cityhood of Parañaque  | RA 8507 | Ratified
April 4, 1998  | Taguig | Cityhood of Taguig  | RA 8487 | Ratified[b]
Antipolo, Rizal  | Cityhood of Antipolo  | RA 8508  | Ratified
April 18, 1998  | Tarlac, Tarlac  | Cityhood of Tarlac  | RA 8593 | Ratified
October 31, 1998  | Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao  | Creation of Mamasapano | MMAA 54  | Ratified
December 30, 1998  | Valenzuela | Cityhood of Valenzuela  | RA 8526 | Ratified
March 14, 1999  | Ilagan, Isabela | Cityhood of Ilagan  | RA 8474  | Rejected
June 26, 1999  | Talayan, Maguindanao  | Creation of Talitay | MMAA 52  | Ratified
October 23, 1999  | Quezon City | Creation of Novaliches City  | RA 8535 | Rejected
December 18, 1999  | Malolos, Bulacan  | Cityhood of Malolos  | RA 8754 | Ratified
Tuguegarao, Cagayan  | Cityhood of Tuguegarao  | RA 8755 | Ratified
March 18, 2000  | Pagalungan, Maguindanao  | Creation of Pagagawan | MMAA 95  | Ratified
August 10, 2000  | Maasin, Southern Leyte  | Cityhood of Maasin  | RA 8796 | Ratified
September 8, 2000  | Digos, Davao del Sur  | Cityhood of Digos  | RA 8798 | Ratified
September 10, 2000  | San Jose del Monte, Bulacan  | Cityhood of San Jose del Monte  | RA 8797  | Ratified
September 18, 2000  | Bislig, Surigao del Sur  | Cityhood of Bislig  | RA 8804 | Ratified
Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat  | Cityhood of Tacurong  | RA 8805 | Ratified
September 30, 2000  | Masbate, Masbate  | Cityhood of Masbate  | RA 8807  | Ratified
October 8, 2000  | Koronadal, South Cotabato  | Cityhood of Koronadal  | RA 8803 | Ratified
December 9, 2000  | Muñoz, Nueva Ecija  | Cityhood of Muñoz  | RA 8977 | Ratified
December 16, 2000  | Bacon and Sorsogon, Sorsogon  | Merger of Bacon and Sorsogon as the city of Sorsogon  | RA 8806  | Ratified
December 23, 2000  | Bayawan, Negros Oriental  | Cityhood of Bayawan  | RA 8963 | Ratified
December 30, 2000  | Talisay, Cebu  | Cityhood of Talisay  | RA 8979  | Ratified
Balanga, Bataan  | Cityhood of Balanga  | RA 8984 | Ratified
Valencia, Bukidnon  | Cityhood of Valencia  | RA 8985 | Ratified
January 22, 2001  | Vigan, Ilocos Sur  | Cityhood of Vigan  | RA 8988 | Ratified
February 3, 2001  | San Fernando, Pampanga  | Cityhood of San Fernando  | RA 8990 | Ratified
March 10, 2001  | Tanauan, Batangas  | Cityhood of Tanauan  | RA 9005 | Ratified
March 24, 2001  | Ligao, Albay  | Cityhood of Ligao  | RA 9008 | Ratified
Tabaco, Albay  | Cityhood of Tabaco  | RA 9020 | Ratified
March 28, 2001  | Candon, Ilocos Sur  | Cityhood of Candon  | RA 9018 | Ratified
Alaminos, Pangasinan  | Cityhood of Alaminos  | RA 9025 | Ratified
March 30, 2001  | Cauayan, Isabela  | Cityhood of Cauayan  | RA 9017 | Ratified
Meycauayan, Bulacan  | Cityhood of Meycauayan  | RA 9021 | Rejected
March 31, 2001  | Escalante, Negros Occidental  | Cityhood of Escalante  | RA 9014 | Ratified
Panabo, Davao del Norte  | Cityhood of Panabo  | RA 9015 | Ratified
Tanjay, Negros Oriental  | Cityhood of Tanjay  | RA 9026 | Ratified
Sipalay, Negros Occidental  | Cityhood of Sipalay  | RA 9027 | Ratified
Himamaylan, Negros Occidental  | Cityhood of Himamaylan  | RA 9028 | Ratified
July 15, 2002  | Busuanga and Culion, Palawan  | Transfer of Barangays Burabod and Halsey from Busuanga to Culion  | RA 9032 | Ratified
Culion, Palawan  | Creation of Barangay De Carabao  | Ratified
June 6, 2004  | Asuncion and Kapalong, Davao del Norte  | Creation of San Isidro | RA 9265 | Ratified
July 10, 2004  | Santa Rosa, Laguna  | Cityhood of Santa Rosa  | RA 9264 | Ratified
September 16, 2004  | Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao  | Creation of Rajah Buayan | MMAA 126  | Ratified
November 27, 2004  | Bayang and Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur  | Creation of Lumbaca-Unayan | MMAA 106  | Ratified
February 18, 2006  | Tarlac City, Tarlac  | Conversion of Tarlac City to a highly urbanized city  | PP 940, s. 2005 | Rejected
May 22, 2006  | Tipo-Tipo, Basilan  | Creation of Ungkaya Pukan | MMAA 190  | Ratified
Creation of Al-Barka | MMAA 191  | Ratified
Tuburan, Basilan  | Creation of Hadji Mohammad Ajul | MMAA 192  | Ratified
Creation of Akbar | MMAA 193  | Ratified
September 16, 2006  | Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi  | Creation of Sibutu | MMAA 197  | Ratified
Upi, Maguindanao  | Creation of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat | MMAA 198  | Ratified
December 10, 2006  | Meycauayan, Bulacan  | Cityhood of Meycauayan  | RA 9356 | Ratified
December 30, 2006  | Buluan, Maguindanao  | Creation of Pandag | MMAA 203  | Ratified
Kabuntalan, Shariff Kabunsuan  | Creation of Northern Kabuntalan | MMAA 206  | Ratified
Talayan and Talitay, Maguindanao  | Creation of Datu Anggal Midtimbang | MMAA 207  | Ratified
June 16, 2007  | San Juan | Cityhood of San Juan  | RA 9388 | Ratified
June 24, 2007  | Navotas | Cityhood of Navotas  | RA 9387 | Ratified[22]
July 9, 2007  | Puerto Princesa, Palawan  | Conversion of Puerto Princesa to a highly urbanized city  | PP 1264, s. 2007 | Ratified[23]
July 21, 2007  | Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu  | Conversion of Lapu-Lapu City to a highly urbanized city  | PP 1222, s. 2007 | Ratified
August 25, 2007  | Luuk, Sulu  | Creation of Omar | MMAA 194  | Ratified
Lantawan, Basilan  | Creation of Hadji Muhtamad | MMAA 200  | Ratified
December 18, 2008  | Tacloban, Leyte  | Conversion of Tacloban to a highly urbanized city  | PP 1638, s. 2008 | Ratified[24]
July 30, 2009  | Shariff Aguak and Datu Unsay, Maguindanao  | Creation of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan | MMAA 220  | Ratified
Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Datu Piang, Maguindanao  | Creation of Datu Salibo | MMAA 222  | Ratified
Shariff Aguak, Mamasapano, Datu Unsay, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Datu Piang, Maguindanao  | Creation of Shariff Saydona Mustapha | MMAA 225  | Ratified
November 25, 2009  | Dasmariñas, Cavite  | Cityhood of Dasmariñas  | RA 9723  | Ratified
June 23, 2012  | Bacoor, Cavite  | Cityhood of Bacoor  | RA 10160 | Ratified[25]
June 30, 2013  | Imus, Cavite  | Cityhood of Imus  | RA 10161 | Ratified[26]
July 21, 2012  | Mabalacat, Pampanga  | Cityhood of Mabalacat  | RA 10164 | Ratified[27]
August 4, 2012  | Cabuyao, Laguna  | Cityhood of Cabuyao  | RA 10163  | Ratified[28]
August 11, 2012  | Ilagan, Isabela  | Cityhood of Ilagan  | RA 10169 | Ratified[29]
December 28, 2013  | San Pedro, Laguna  | Cityhood of San Pedro  | RA 10420 | Ratified[30]
December 12, 2015  | General Trias, Cavite  | Cityhood of General Trias  | RA 10675 | Ratified[31]
March 24, 2018  | Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte  | Creation of three barangays  | RA 10955 | Ratified
April 7, 2018  | Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur  | Renaming of Bumbaran to "Amai Manabilang"  | MMAA 316  | Ratified
September 7, 2019  | Santo Tomas, Batangas  | Cityhood of Santo Tomas  | RA 11086 | Ratified[32]
September 3, 2022  | Calaca, Batangas  | Cityhood of Calaca  | RA 11544 | Ratified[33]
December 17, 2022  | Baliwag, Bulacan  | Cityhood of Baliwag  | RA 11929  | Ratified[34]
July 8, 2023  | Carmona, Cavite  | Cityhood of Carmona  | RA 11938 | Ratified[35]
April 13, 2024 | Aleosan. Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, Pikit, Cotabato  | Creation of Kadayangan, Kapalawan, Ligawasan, Malidegao, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Pahamuddin, Tugunan | BA 41–48  | Ratified[36]
June 29, 2024  | Las Piñas | Redrawing of barangay boundaries  | CO 941-23 s. 2023  | Ratified[37]

1. ^ The Supreme Court ruled that the votes for cityhood must be more than a majority of registered voters, not just of those who voted.
2. ^ Originally rejected, but a recount saw more votes for cityhood.

### Barangay-level plebiscites

[edit]

There have also been plebiscites in barangays for renaming them or creating new ones, either from certain sitios or by dividing and merging existing barangays.[38] There have been hundreds of such plebiscites since the 1980s.

## People's Initiative

[edit]

Main article: People's Initiative

People's Initiative refers to either a mode for constitutional amendment provided by the 1987 Philippine Constitution or to the act of pushing an initiative (national or local) allowed by the Initiative and Referendum Act of 1987.

While there had been no national people's initiative, there had been several attempts at one. In 2014, the People's Initiative against pork barrel had 10,000 signatures submitted to the Commission on Elections, but a referendum did not push through. In 2020, it was theorized that it could be used to grant ABS-CBN a new franchise, but it was seen by lawyer Emil Marañon "as legally problematic and practically impossible to hold."[39]

Local initiatives are possible. The first initiative under the Initiative and Referendum Act was in Barangay Miragrosa, Quezon City, to stop the continued influx of informal settlers and the sale of illegal drugs in 2011. The initiative passed, with 465 in favor and 384 against, out of 3,665 registered voters eligible to participate.[40]

### Local initiatives

[edit]

Date  | Location  | Proposition  | Result

|
|
|

May 14, 2011  | Barangay Milagrosa, Quezon City | Banning illegal settlers, mendicants, abusive barangay officials, and drug trafficking  | Ratified[41]

## See also

[edit]

* Recall elections in the Philippines
* Special elections in the Philippines

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Republic Act No. 6735". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. August 4, 1989. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
2. ^ a b c "The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
3. ^ Butuyan, Joel Ruiz (November 12, 2018). "An antidynasty law via people's initiative". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
4. ^ Villarroel, Fidel (2009). "Philip II and the "Philippine Referendum" of 1599". In Ramírez, Dámaso de Lario (ed.). Re-shaping the World: Philip II of Spain and His Time (illustrated ed.). Ateneo de Manila University Press. pp. 93–133\. ISBN 978-971-550-556-7.
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "The referendum scorecard 1935–1987". Manuel L. Quezon III. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
6. ^ Andersen, Regine (2008), Governing agrobiodiversity: plant genetics and developing countries, Ashgate, p. 218, ISBN 978-0-7546-4741-6.
7. ^ Philippines, 15 January 1973: Constitution Direct Democracy (in German)
8. ^ a b "Comelec ratifies Bangsamoro Organic Law". BusinessMirror. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
9. ^ Laqui, Ian. "Supreme Court: Sulu not part of BARMM". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
10. ^ "Sixty-three of 67 North Cotabato barangays voted for inclusion in BARMM". Manila Bulletin. February 14, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
11. ^ "Voters approve new Mindanao province". Philippine Information Agency. November 1, 2006. Retrieved August 9, 2006.
12. ^ Unson, John (January 11, 2009). "Shariff Kabunsuan province abolished". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
13. ^ Dinagat isles land provincehood status Archived December 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, SunStar Cagayan de Oro
14. ^ Nachura, Antonio Eduardo B. (April 12, 2011). "G.R. No. 180050, Promulgated: April 12, 2011". Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
15. ^ Mallari, Delfin T. Jr. (August 15, 2011). "Quezon split sponsors optimistic in 2nd try". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
16. ^ Carillo, C.A. (November 10, 2013). "Davao Occidental province to be created". BusinessWorld. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
17. ^ Balasbas, Rhommel (December 9, 2019). "Compostella (sic) Valley tatawagin nang Davao de Oro" [Compostela Valley now to be called Davao de Oro]. Radyo Inquirer 990 AM (in Filipino). Retrieved December 9, 2019.
18. ^ Jaymalin, Mayen. "All set for Palawan plebiscite". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
19. ^ "Maguindanao mahahati sa 2 probinsya matapos ang plebisito". ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
20. ^ Leon, Dwight de (2023-11-01). "Bulacan rejects San Jose del Monte's bid to be independent from province". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
21. ^ Mahilum, E. (March 11, 2023). "Voter turnout low for KC plebiscite". Manila Standard. p. 9. Retrieved April 6, 2024 - via Google Books.
22. ^ "Navotas now a city, despite dismal plebiscite turnout". GMA News Online. 2007-06-25. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
23. ^ Jr, Claudio Daquer. "Puerto Princesa now a highly urbanized city". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
24. ^ Docdocan, Ranulfo (2009-12-22). "Tacloban residents make city history with plebiscite". ABS-CBN News.
25. ^ "Bacoor now a city in Cavite after plebiscite; Imus town next". GMA News Online. 2012-06-24. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
26. ^ Times, The Manila (2012-07-02). "Imus converted into city following plebiscite". The Manila Times. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
27. ^ Jr, Reynaldo Santos (2012-07-22). "Mabalacat now officially Pampanga's 3rd city". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
28. ^ "Cabuyao, Laguna, is newest city". INQUIRER.net. 2012-08-06. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
29. ^ Inquirer, Philippine Daily (2012-08-12). "Ilagan now 4th city in Cagayan Valley". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
30. ^ Bueza, Michael (2013-12-31). "San Pedro approved as Laguna's 6th city". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
31. ^ Elemia, Camille (2015-12-13). "General Trias in Cavite now a city". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
32. ^ Cinco, Maricar (2019-09-08). "Sto. Tomas is Batangas' newest city". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
33. ^ Sarao, Zacarian (2022-09-04). "Calaca town in Batangas now a city after plebiscite – Comelec". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
34. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (2022-12-18). "Baliwag is now Bulacan's fourth city after plebiscite". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
35. ^ Leon, Dwight de (2023-07-08). "Plebiscite results are in: Cavite's Carmona is Philippines' newest city". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
36. ^ "Creation of 8 new towns in BARMM's SGA ratified". MindaNews. April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
37. ^ Ombay, Giselle (2024-06-30). "Las Piñas residents vote 'yes' in plebiscite on setting barangay boundaries". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
38. ^ "Caloocan voters OK splitting Bagong Silang into 6 barangays". ABS-CBN. September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
39. ^ "What you need to know about people's initiative". Rappler. July 13, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
40. ^ Aning, Jerome (May 8, 2011). "QC barangay holds 1st successful initiative vs squatters, drugs". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
41. ^ Aning, Jerome (2011-05-18). "QC barangay holds 1st successful initiative vs squatters, drugs". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-11-18.

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