ARMM execs want Hataman re-elected as governor

COTABATO CITY — Local executives want Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao re-elected for his readiness to step down once the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law is approved and ratified via a plebiscite.

The BBL, still pending in Congress, is the enabling measure for the replacement of ARMM with a more empowered Bangsamoro entity under a peace pact between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

"No one from among ARMM governors, since the government-MILF peace process started in 1997, ever promised to turn over the regional government to the MILF if the peace process requires. Only Gov. Hataman had promised so," said Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay of Lamitan City.

Leaders in Iranun-dominated towns in the first district of Maguindanao are convinced a transition from ARMM to a Bangsamoro entity could easily take place if regional officials are led by a governor who is ready to step down amid a three-year elective tenure.

"It would be difficult to unseat a regional governor who has a three-year elective tenure. We are sure we can keep Gov. Hataman's promise on that regard," a local official said in Filipino in heavy Iranun accent.

Furigay said political leaders in Lamitan City, which is the new provincial capital of Basilan, and officials in all of its 45 barangays want Hataman re-elected.

ARMM officials, including regional governor, vice-governor and members of the 24-seat Regional Assembly, who will be elected in May 2016 will enjoy a three-year term that would last up to June 30, 2019.

"We'll have a serious problem having a regional governor who is a warlord. Warlords are recalcitrant and stubborn. A warlord-governor will not favor any transition process and might even challenge the MILF to an election in 2019," said a political leader in Sulu, who asked not to be identified.