Business, Muslim groups urge Misuari to quit ARMM

COTABATO CITY — Various sectors in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are calling on Gov. Nur Misuari to resign from his post to allow a transition in the region’s leadership.

Misuari’s term ended last Sept. 30 but Malacañang has not announced whether he would continue in a holdover capacity until a new governor is elected next May.

The law resetting ARMM elections to May next year has no clear provision, indicating that Misuari could remain as governor until his successor has been elected and sworn in.

Ustadz Faisal Kamison, a Madrasah teacher, said Islamic missionaries in Central Mindanao, just like the business community, are confused why Malacañang has not announced if Misuari would be replaced or allowed to remain in office.

"After all, the gubernatorial post of the ARMM is not part of the Mindanao peace process," he said. "In fact the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) has been clamoring for its abolition and the creation of a new and bigger autonomous setup."

On the other hand, preacher Quinaid Titingan said Misuari should resign and allow a competent leader to run the ARMM until a new set of officials is elected.

A Chinese businessman, who requested anonymity, said: "And we are very worried because some of us (traders) in Cotabato City still have big collectibles from the office of Governor Misuari and other line agencies under the ARMM government."

Meanwhile, a source said they are apprehensive that a sudden transition in the regional leadership would affect their collection of the ARMM’s unpaid accounts.

Highly placed sources in the ARMM said the Office of the Regional Governor and all devolved agencies under it have unpaid accounts amounting to more than P15 million with various hotels, gasoline dealers, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, and the Cotabato Light and Power Company.