ARTICLE XLOCAL GOVERNMENT
AUTONOMOUS REGIONS
Section 15. There shall be created
autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and in the Cordilleras consisting
of provinces, cities, municipalities, and geographical areas sharing
common
and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social
structures,
and other relevant characteristics within the framework of this
Constitution
and the national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the
Republic
of the Philippines.
Section 16. The President
shall exercise general supervision over autonomous regions to ensure
that
laws are faithfully executed.cralaw:red
Section 17. All powers, functions,
and responsibilities not granted by this Constitution or by law to the
autonomous regions shall be vested in the National Government.cralaw:red
Section 18. The Congress
shall enact an organic act for each autonomous region with the
assistance
and participation of the regional consultative commission composed of
representatives
appointed by the President from a list of nominees from multi-sectoral
bodies. The organic act shall define the basic structure of government
for the region consisting of the executive department and legislative
assembly,
both of which shall be elective and representative of the constituent
political
units. The organic acts shall likewise provide for special courts with
personal, family, and property law jurisdiction consistent with the
provisions
of this Constitution and national laws.cralaw:red
The creation of the autonomous
region shall be effective when approved by majority of the votes cast
by
the constituent units in a plebiscite called for the purpose, provided
that only provinces, cities, and geographic areas voting favorably in
such
plebiscite shall be included in the autonomous region.cralaw:red
Section 19. The first Congress
elected under this Constitution shall, within eighteen months from the
time of organization of both Houses, pass the organic acts for the
autonomous
regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras.cralaw:red
Section 20. Within its territorial
jurisdiction and subject to the provisions of this Constitution and
national
laws, the organic act of autonomous regions shall provide for
legislative
powers over:chanrobles virtual law library
(1) Administrative organization;
(2) Creation of sources
of revenues;
(3) Ancestral domain and
natural resources;
(4) Personal, family, and
property relations;
(5) Regional urban and
rural
planning development;
(6) Economic, social, and
tourism development;
(7) Educational policies;
(8) Preservation and
development
of the cultural heritage; and
(9) Such other matters as
may be authorized by law for the promotion of the general welfare of
the
people of the region.
Section 21. The preservation
of peace and order within the regions shall be the responsibility of
the
local police agencies which shall be organized, maintained, supervised,
and utilized in accordance with applicable laws. The defense and
security
of the regions shall be the responsibility of the National Government. | 
