Group files petition vs Negros Island Region’s creation before SC

BACOLOD, Philippines – A civil society group from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor province has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking declaratory relief, prohibition, and a temporary restraining order (TRO) regarding the recently enacted law creating the Negros Island Region (NIR). 

The petition, received by the High Tribunal on Friday afternoon, August 30, sought a writ of preliminary injunction and a status quo ante order, which aims to restore the situation to its state before the enactment of the law.

The petitioners include the Reverend Father Hendrix Alar, Lina Eparwa, Wilfredo Magallano, Marcelino Maxino, Jose Imaculado Palmitos, and Grace Sumalpong.

They argued that the creation and revival of the NIR through Republic Act 12000, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 13, was “illegal” due to its lack of public consultations and failure to follow standard legislative processes.

Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria told Rappler, “I do understand their sentiments. I respect them, but I think, with the civil case now, it’s up to the Supreme Court to decide on the matter.”

Sagarbarria countered the claims of insufficient public consultations, stating that the rebirth of the NIR only involved adding the island-province of Siquijor to the previously established NIR.

He pointed out that public consultations had occurred in 2015 before the initial creation of the NIR by then-president Benigno Simeon Aquino III through Executive Order No. 183. The first NIR was dissolved by the Duterte administration in 2017, supposedly due to funding issues.

The NIR’s expansion has been opposed by various groups, including the Tingog Siquijodnons coalition from Siquijor, which expressed concerns about the economic impact of the island province being included in the NIR. Siquijor has a population of just over 100,000, and many people there feared that its inclusion might be disadvantageous to them.

Catholic Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete also opposed the NIR creation. In March, Cortes publicly criticized the proposed revival, calling it an “insult” to the people of Negros Oriental. 

He had previously urged Marcos Jr. to veto the bills creating the NIR, but his appeal was not heeded.

In early August, Senator Imee Marcos said the new region did not have a share in the proposed 2025 National Expenditures Program.

Another senator, Joseph Victor Ejercito, the principal author of law, said the NIR is entitled to receive P1.2 billion annually for three years to support its transition.

Negros officials, however, said they remained optimistic that the budget issues will be resolved and were confident in the new region’s development, with Marcos expressing promising support for the NIR.

Under the setup, Negros Occidental was carved out of Western Visayas to join Negros Oriental and Siquijor from Central Visayas in the new region. – Rappler.com