', officially the ', is a of the Philippines| in the province of,. According to the, it has a population of people. It is formerly known as Maganoy. Despite only being the de jureseat of Maguindanao's provincial government from 1973 to 1977, the town—being home to several previous governors—has served as the de facto capital during the governorships of Sandiale Sambolawan, Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and Sajid Ampatuan. SP Resolution No. 78 dated May 3, 2011 allowed the transfer of the legislative branch of the provincial government to the municipality of Sultan Kudarat. Historically, Sultan Kudarat has been the de jure executive and legislative capital of the province from 1977 until 2014 when the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Maguindanao approved a resolution formally recognizing Buluan as the new executive provincial capital. However, incumbent governor Bai Mariam Mangudadatu moved the provincial capitol again in Shariff Aguak.
Barangays
Shariff Aguak is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.
Bagong
Bialong
Kuloy
Labu-labu
Lapok
Malingao
Poblacion
Poblacion I
Poblacion II
Satan
Tapikan
Timbangan
Tina
Demographics
Climate
History
The town's name was changed from Maganoy to Shariff Aguak by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 45 in 1996. On July 30, 2009, upon the ratification of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Acts No. 225 and MMAA 220, the municipalities of Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, respectively, were created from a total of 13 barangays of the 26 Shariff Aguak, in addition to other barangays from Datu Piang, Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Datu Unsay and Mamasapano. Shariff Aguak was Maguindanao's provincial capital from its creation in 1973 to 1977. In 1977, PresidentFerdinand Marcos moved the province's seat of government to the municipality of Sultan Kudarat by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1170. Batas Pambansa Blg. 211, enacted in 1982, aimed to formally restore the status of Maganoy as Maguindanao's seat of provincial government but the plebiscite scheduled for December 18, 1982 was never administered, thereby making the law not legally binding. However, the town has served as the de facto capital during the tenure of previous governors who hails from the town. By law, Sultan Kudarat was historically recognized as the capital of Maguindanao from 1977 until 2014 when the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Maguindanao approved a resolution formally recognizing Buluan as the new provincial capital. Pending the completion of the new provincial capitol complex at Buluan, the executive branch of provincial government holds offices in that town's Rajah Buayan Silongan Peace Center. On the other hand the legislative branch of provincial government, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Maguindanao, continues to hold sessions in the rehabilitated buildings of the old provincial capitol in Barangay Simuay Crossing in the town of Sultan Kudarat. The Ampatuan-built former provincial capitol complex in Shariff Aguak, initially planned to be converted for public school use, is set to become the new regional headquarters of ARMM's Bureau of Fire Protection but eventually became an infantry brigade of the Philippine Army.
