Hataman proposal re BARMM extension

The raging debate on the issue of the extension of the transition period for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is getting interesting. In a latest twist that has raised eyebrows, the BARMM spokesperson went to town weeks ago, saying they will reject a midterm review of the agency’s performance. BARMM is on a media offensive.

This sharp reaction to the proposed resolution of House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman for the conduct of a midterm review on BARMM’s performance is suspiciously off the mark. The proposal is anchored on vetting BARMM’s record before the House starts deliberation on the proposed bills asking for the extension of the transition, which will effectively extend their term of office without election.

BARMM’s rejection drew immediate reactions from netizens in social media who asked what the BARMM officials are afraid of to avoid audit. Whose fault is it that they failed to complete their mandate within the legislative timeline? Are they beyond the legitimate oversight power of Congress? The stand of BARMM if sustained will effectively deprive Congress of such inherent power.

Let us dissect and digest the reasons for the rejection of the audit.

Culled from media report, the principal reason invoked by BARMM officials is the alleged limited time they are in office. They say, “Congress has exercised oversight powers of review on laws only after five to 10 years of enactment on the average.”

This is a vacuous logic that stands on thin ice. Granting en arguendo that they are correct, will that prevent Congress from doing it anytime or even after a year-and-a-half of enactment?

The exercise of such power has become imperative because BARMM officials are asking for something that will prolong their stay in office sans election. The circumstances cited by BARMM when Congress exercised its oversight power are entirely different from the instant case. In those cases, the officials exercising powers of governance did not ask for the deferment of an election set by law and their longer stay in office. It’s an apples and oranges comparison.

In fairness to Hataman, we see nothing mischievous about his proposal. In fact, given the circumstances, it is the most sensible action that our policymakers should take before deciding on the issue. It is the middle ground in the bifurcation of position.

Recall that earlier there was a vehement objection to the extension raised by Muslim leaders. The emotional objection of Mayor Cynthia Sayyade of Cotabato City and political stalwart Sakur Tan Sr. of Sulu as played up in media is serious to be ignored. They charged, among others, that BARMM has not accomplished anything of significance other than the retrenchment of thousands of BARMM employees, and has not done much in addressing the pandemic.

The Moros are deeply divided on the issue, and Hataman is providing a forum for the BARMM leadership to address these concerns. He is, so to speak, helping untangle the proverbial Gordian knot toward an informed position.

But to the surprise of many, the proposal was shot down by BARMM. They imputed dubious motive to the proposal. They saw the idea as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” a mute opposition, and a subtle ploy to derail approval of the extension bills. My earlier reading of Hataman was that he is in favor of extension, except that he wants a solid ground for his position for posterity.

But that is not the end of the narrative. In a strange twist of circumstances, a top BARMM minister has issued a public statement. which tacitly casts doubt over the integrity of the use of about P107.12 billion (whew! such huge money) of public funds in infrastructure projects during the administration of Hataman as regional governor of

ARMM, the predecessor of BARMM. Observers read the expose as a message to Hataman and opposers to go slow with their objection, else skeletons in their closet will be exposed.

That was an ill-advised ploy. It might even boomerang and further delay the approval of the bills.

It is getting messy, if not figuratively bloody. Let us just hope that whatever comes out of the tussle will be for the greater benefits of the greater number of Moros.

“Hataman is providing a forum for the BARMM leadership to address these concerns. He is, so to speak, helping untangle the proverbial Gordian knot toward an informed position.

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BARMM’s rejection drew immediate reactions from netizens in social media who asked what the BARMM officials are afraid of to avoid audit.