The idea of creating a province in the present territory of Maguindanao del Norte dates back to 2006 when the province of
Shariff Kabunsuan briefly existed for two years before being reverted as part of
Maguindanao.[3]
Maguindanao del Norte was formed when
Maguindanao province was split into two provinces; the other province being
Maguindanao del Sur. The division occurred following
a plebiscite on September 17, 2022 which ratified Republic Act 11550 wherein it proposed the partitioning of the province. Former Maguindanao Vice Governor
Ainee Sinsuat was expected to become the acting governor of the newly formed Maguindanao del Norte province.[4] However an issue arose since the determination of the first set of officials of the province presumes that the plebiscite was held prior to the
2022 national and local elections. However the plebiscite was postponed to a date after the elections.[5] This led to the
Commission on Elections to come up with a legal opinion.[6][7] The position was issued on September 28, 2022, where the election body conclude that only the
Department of the Interior and Local Government could appoint the first officials of the province.[5]
Sinsuat took oath as the first governor of the province on October 13, 2022 with former Maguindanao provincial board member Sharifudin Mastura as her vice governor.[8] A transition period would take place until January 9, 2023.[9] On April 28, 2023, President
Bongbong Marcos appointed
Abdulraof Macacua as the full pledged governor of the province while Sinsuat was appointed as the vice governor. On August 14, 2023, Sinsuat vacated her position as vice governor and revived her claim as the legitimate governor. Both the national and Bangsamoro regional government does not recognize Sinsuat's claim.
Geography
Maguindanao del Norte has a total area of
3,988.82 square kilometers (1,540.09 sq mi). The province is bordered to the north by
Maguindanao del Norte has a outlying island near the province called Bongo Island, the island is under the jurisdiction of the province.
Administrative divisions
Maguindanao del Norte is composed of 1 independent city, 12 municipalities, and 3 legislative districts.
† Capital municipality
Municipality
∗∗ Independent component city (only geographically grouped with the province)
(Italicized entries indicate the generic location. Otherwise, they mark the
city or town center).
^ Total figures exclude the independent component city of Cotabato, which is geographically within and traditionally grouped with the province.
^ The
city of Cotabato, which is geographically within and traditionally grouped with the province, is
independent from the province and does not vote for provincial officials. Only votes with Maguindanao for representation in the various national legislatures.
Dashes (—) in cells indicate unavailable information.