August 1, 1989: The Republic Act No. 6734 or the Organic Act of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, is signed into law by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

November 17, 1989: A plebiscite is conducted in the proposed areas of ARMM (13 provinces and nine cities) to determine if the residents want to be part of the region. Plebiscite was held in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, Palawan, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur and in the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Cotabato, General Santos, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga. Only four provinces—Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur—choose to join the region.

February 12, 1990: Election for the newly-created region is held. Zacaria Candao and Benjamin Loong win as the region’s governor and vice governor, respectively.

March 25, 1993: Election is held for the 2nd time. Liningding Pangandaman and Nabil Tan are proclaimed winners for the gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial posts.

September 9, 1996: Election is held for the 3rd time. Nur Misuari and Guimid Matalam are elected as governor and vice-governor, respectively.

August 14, 2001: A plebiscite is held after the passage of the Expanded ARMM Law (RA 9054) to determine if the four provinces were in favor of the amendments to RA 6734. Plebiscite was also held in 11 provinces and 14 cities to determine if the residents want to be included in the expanded ARMM.

Plebiscite is held in the provinces of Basilan, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, Palawan, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay. It is also conducted in the cities of Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, Digos, General Santos, Iligan, Isabela City, Koronadal City, Marawi City, Pagadian City, Puerto Princesa City, Tacurong City and Zamboanga City.

Only Basilan province (excluding Isabela City, which remained as part of the Zamboanga Peninsula region) and the city of Marawi voted for inclusion in the new region.

November 26, 2001: Election for the expanded ARMM is held. Parouk Hussin and Mahid Mutilan are elected as governor and vice-governor.

August 8, 2005: ARMM Regional election is held. Zaldy Ampatuan and Amsaruddin-Abdulmalik Adiong are elected as governor and vice governor.

August 11, 2008: Automated election for the ARMM is held. —Research by Jesus Llanto and Fharhana Abdurahim

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