WHEREAS, it is vital to know the sentiments of the people in Region IX and XII, as well as those in the provinces of Palawan, Davao del Sur and South Cotabato, when they cast their votes on the issue of establishing an autonomous region in Southwestern Philippines;

WHEREAS, there may be other matters of national or local concern which the voters may desire to bring to attention of the national leadership;

WHEREAS, the remarks sheets (Comelec Form No, 3-A) are an effective vehicle through which the voters may express their views on any matter which they wish the government to act upon;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order the following:

SECTION 1. Presidential Decree No. 1092, as amended, is hereby further amended by inserting therein a new section to be designated as Sec. 15-A which shall read as follows:

"Sec. 15-A Remarks Sheets. — REMARKS SHEETS (COMELEC FORM NO. 3-A) ARE HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MARCH 1977 REGIONAL PLEBISCITE FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:

A) TO DETERMINE THE THINKING OF THE VOTERS AND THE MOTIVES FOR THEIR VOTES ON THE ISSUE OF ESTABLISHING AN AUTONOMOUS REGION IN SOUTHWESTERN PHILIPPINES; AND

B) TO ENABLE THE VOTERS TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP OTHER MATTERS OF NATIONAL OR LOCAL IMPORTANCE —"

SECTION 2. Sec. 20 of the same decree is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 20. Appropriations. — To carry out the provisions of this Decree, the sum of [TWO MILLION PESOS (P2,000,000.00)] TWO MILLION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P2,250,000.00) is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to be spent under the exclusive authority of the Commission."

SECTION 3. Effectivity. — This Decree shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 3rd day March, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Seven.

 

			(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President of the Philippines
	By the President:
	(Sgd.) JUAN C. TUVERA
		Presidential Executive Assistant