The local government of San Jose del Monte can refile its highly-urbanized city bid after “No” won in the October 30 plebiscite, which coincided with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023 (BSKE 2023).

A total of 820,385 registered voters in the entire province of Bulacan voted “No” while 620,707 chose “Yes”. 

Commission on Elections Provincial Election Supervisor Mona Ann Aldana-Campos said there is no law prohibiting the city government of San Jose del Monte from conducting another plebiscite, but it is more expensive considering the huge number of “No” votes. 

For instance, the city government of San Jose Del Monte spent about P35 million for the honoraria of teachers who served in the plebiscite.

Each teacher received P2,000 for their duty during the plebiscite. This is on top of the P9,000 honoraria for BSKE 2023.

“No” won in 19 towns and three cities of Bulacan including the city of San Jose del Monte, while “Yes” emerged victorious in the municipality of Marilao and city of Meycauayan. (PIA 3)