Pursuant to Section 2, (4)(c), Article IX of the Constitution, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, do hereby concur with Resolution No. 8524 of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), both promulgated 12 November 2008, deputizing the Department of Education (DepEd); Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Police Commission; and the Philippine National Police (PNP), for the purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible conduct of the December 6, 2008 plebiscite to ratify the creation of the following : (a) municipality of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan out of the Municipalities of Shariff Aguak and Datu Unsay, pursuant to Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act (MMAA) No. 220: (b) Barangay Toron and Barangay Mantao out of Barangay Macalag in the Municipality of Datu Unsay, pursuant to MMAA No. 224: and (c) Barangay Apas and Barangay Palao out of Barangay Tuntungan in the Municipality of Datu Unsay, pursuant to MMAA No. 235, all in the province of Maguindanao.

The foregoing law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies are hereby directed to coordinate and cooperate with the Commission on Elections in the performance of their duties and functions.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 12th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary