40 individuals apply for top post in ARMM transition team

MANILA, Philippines - At least 40 individuals have applied for the top post of the transition team for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) that will assume office on Oct. 1, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said yesterday.

Robredo is flying to Davao today to screen applicants and nominees for the transition team for ARMM after the scheduled regional elections last Aug. 8 had been reset and synchronized to the national elections on 2013 as provided by Republic Act 7166 or synchronized elections law, signed by President Aquino.

A petition questioning the postponement of ARMM elections is now pending with the Supreme Court.

“I will be in Davao on Wednesday for ARMM roadmap and presentation of timetable for screening/appointments and qualifications for applicants and nominees,” said Robredo in a text message.

He said his department is a member of the screening committee that would recommend to Aquino possible members of the transition team for ARMM.

The committee hopes to submit to the President the names of the recommendees before Sept. 20. The DILG is a member of the screening committee.

The DILG secretary clarified that the transition team will not take over the ARMM government but merely prepare for the entry of new officials.

It will be composed of a governor, vice governor and 24 members of the Regional Legislative Assembly.

Robredo encouraged non-governmental organizations to initiate forums to assess applicants.

The ARMM transition team will be tasked to implement the development roadmap in the region in the next 20 months.

He said the roadmap calls for the strengthening of bureaucratic reforms, sustained transparency and performance, stepped-up peace and order initiatives, and reforms in the electoral process, among others.

“We are preparing the transition team and in fact, the proposal is for us to have undersecretaries of the different line agencies to do a performance audit of all the units of the ARMM,” Robredo said.

He said the audit will allow the region’s officers-in-charge to immediately implement genuine reforms.

Robredo said the government, through the DILG, has been bringing the ARMM to a sustainable path of good governance.

“In the exercise of its oversight function over the ARMM, the DILG has undertaken efforts to introduce and sustain needed reforms so that good governance shall reign in the region,” he said.

He said key reforms have to be initiated outside of the electoral exercise to bring the ARMM to the right track of improving development outcomes.

He said the DILG vigorously supported the President’s stance on the postponement of the ARMM elections to pave the way for a clearer mandate and do away with command votes that do not reflect the true will of the electorate.

“Local autonomy is not, and should never be, an excuse for any local official to abuse power vested by the law. And such excesses shall neither be tolerated nor treated with kid gloves by this present administration,” he added.

– With Sheila Crisostomo, Edith Regalado