Section 1Sec./Art. 1

Expanded Autonomous Region. -

(1)The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which, under the provisions of Republic Act No. 6734, the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, is composed of the four provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, is hereby expanded to include the provinces and cities, enumerated hereunder, which vote favorably to be included in the expanded area of the autonomous region and for other purposes, in a plebiscite called for that purpose in accordance with Section 18, Article X of the Constitution.

The new area of autonomy shall then be determined by the provinces and cities that will vote/choose to join the said autonomy. It is understood that Congress may by law which shall be consistent with the Constitution and in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, provide that clusters of contiguous-Muslim-dominated municipalities voting in favor of autonomy be merged and constituted into a new province(s) which shall become part of the new Autonomous Region.

(2)Plebiscite Coverage. The plebiscite shall be conducted in the provinces of Basilan, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Palawan, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and the newly created Province of Zamboanga Sibugay, and (b) in the cities of Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, General Santos, Iligan, Kidapawan, Marawi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Digos, Koronadal, Tacurong and Zamboanga.

(a)PLEBISCITE QUESTION FOR VOTERS OF THE FOUR ORIGINAL PROVINCES OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION. For the voters of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi which are already members of the autonomous region under the provisions of Republic Act No. 6734, the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the question to be asked in the plebiscite of the voters therein shall be as follows: Do you vote in favor of the amendments to Republic Act No. 6734, the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as proposed under this Organic Act, which includes, among other things, the expansion of the area of the autonomous region?

(b)PLEBISCITE QUESTION FOR THE VOTERS OF THE PROVINCES AND CITIES PROPOSED FOR INCLUSION IN THE EXPANDED AUTONOMOUS REGION. For the voters of the provinces of Basilan, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Palawan, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and the newly created Province of Zamboanga Sibugay, and the cities of Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, Digos, Koronadal, Tacurong, General Santos, Iligan, Kidapawan, Marawi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga, which compose the provinces and cities that are proposed for inclusion in the expanded area of the autonomous region, the question to be asked in the plebiscite of the voters therein shall be as follows: Do you vote in favor of the inclusion of your province or city in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao?