WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 6217 of the Commission on Elections dated June 23, 2003, the Commission approved the holding of plebiscites on July 1, 2003 to ratify the creation of the municipalities of Datu Saudi Ampatuan in the municipality of Datu Piang and Datu Unsay in the municipality of Shariff Aguak, both in the Province of Maguindanao and the creation of the nine (9) barangays of Poblacion I, Labu-Labu I, Sayap, Taib, Tuayan I, Talibadok, Poblacion II, Labu-Labu II and Kubentong, all in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao; and

WHEREAS, in order to give opportunity to the electorate concerned to participate in such political exercise, there is a need to declare a special (non-working) day for the conduct of the plebiscites herein mentioned in the municipalities herein-above specified;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALBERTO G. ROMULO, Executive Secretary, by order of Her Excellency, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, do hereby declare Tuesday, July 1, 2003, as a special (non-working) day in the municipalities of Datu Piang and Shariff Aguak, both in the Province of Maguindanao.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 28thday of June, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.


By the Executive Secretary:

(Sgd.) JOAQUIN C. LAGONERA
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary