Palawan thumbs down bid to divide province into three – Comelec
MANILA, Philippines — Palawan will remain as one province, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the Provincial Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (BOC) proclaimed at past 5 p.m. that the “no” vote won in the plebiscite held over the weekend to ask residents if they agree to ratify Republic Act 11259 that proposed the division of the province into three.
“The BOC just proclaimed the rejection of the proposed division of the Province of Palawan,” Jimenez said.
The BOC just proclaimed the rejection of the proposed division of the Province of Palawan. With a 60% voter turnout, the people of Palawan have spoken loud and clear.
The COMELEC thanks all its partners in conducting the massively successful #PalawanPleb.
— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) March 16, 2021
Jimenez said the BOC canvassed a total of 122,223 ‘yes’ votes and 172,304 ‘no’ votes with only one municipality unaccounted for.
The poll body said 22 out of 23 municipalities have been canvassed with a voter turnout of 60 percent.
“With a 60% voter turnout, the people of Palawan have spoken loud and clear. The COMELEC thanks all its partners in conducting the massively successful #PalawanPleb,” Jimenez said.
#PalawanPleb
Municipality of Agutaya — YES: 795; NO: 3,202
Municipality of Cuyo — YES: 1,733; NO: 6,297
Muncipality of Magsaysay — YES: 1,174; NO: 3,470 pic.twitter.com/FEJA3QswY9— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) March 16, 2021
The plebiscite was held as required under Republic Act 11259 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019 for the proposed creation of the provinces of Palawan del Norte, Palawan del Sur, and Palawan Oriental.