REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9140, June 22, 2001

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9140, June 22, 2001 ]

AN ACT FIXING THE DATE OF THE PLEBISCITE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734 AND SETTING THE DATE OF THE REGULAR ELECTIONS FOR ELECTIVE OFFICIALS OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO ON THE LAST MONDAY OF NOVEMBER 2001, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED 'AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,' AS AMENDED," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Date of the Plebiscite. — The date of the plebiscite for the approval of the amendments under Republic Act No. 9054, shall be held not later than August 15, 2001.

SEC. 2. First Regular Election. — The first regular election for Regional Governor, Vice Governor and Members of the Regional Legislative Assembly under Republic Act No. 9054 shall be held on November 26, 2001.

SEC. 3. The incumbent Regional Governor, Regional Vice Governor and Members of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao shall continue in office pursuant to existing laws and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified.

SEC. 4. Rules and Regulations. — The Commission on Elections shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry the purpose of this Act.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, administrative regulations or part thereof inconsistent with this Act, and Republic Act No. 9012 are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall be valid and binding.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect upon publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation and one (1) local newspaper of general circulation in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Approved,

(Sgd.) AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL JR.

(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

President of Senate

Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 12961 and Senate Bill No. 2282 was finally passed by the House of Representatives and Senate on June 7, 2001 and June 5, 2001, respectively.

(Sgd.) LUTGARDO B. BARBO

(Sgd.) ROBERTO NAZARENO

Secretary of Senate

Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: JUN 22 2001

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL - ARROYO President of the Philippines