SEN. Francis Tolentino on Wednesday pushed for the partition of Maguindanao into Northern Maguindanao and Southern Maguindanao under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, saying that this will help boost social and economic development and promote political stability in the region.

In his sponsorship speech of House Bill (HB) 6413, Tolentino said that while the province is blessed with rich and abundant natural resources, it faces political and economic barriers.