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The Philippine flag flies at half-mast at the Kidapawan City Hall after local officials ordered its lowering in protest against the decision of the Supreme Court upholding the creation of 16 new cities across the country. Just last year, however, the SC had ruled in favor of the League of Municipalities which opposed their creation on the grounds that they were not qualified based on income and other criteria. Having new cities also means smaller Internal Revenue Allotments for the other cities. Six of these new cities are in Mindanao namely, El Salvador in Misamis Oriental, Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte, Bayugan in Agusan del Sur, Tandag in Surigao del Sur, Mati in Davao Oriental, and Lamitan in Basilan. MindaNews Photo by Geonarri Solmerano