Noy asks ARMM governor to seek reelection

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – President Aquino has asked Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman to seek reelection even as he remains confident of the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“Brother, file your COC (certificate of candidacy)… this is sacrifice. I want to be clear the BBL is not dead. I will push for it,” Hataman quoted the President as telling him during a meeting in Manila on Thursday.

He said Aquino expressed doubt if there would be other candidates for ARMM governor.

Hataman said he is aware that he has to give way to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority once the BBL is passed.

“There is no problem for me because that’s how tight our advocacy to pass the BBL measure is,” he said.

Hataman declared his reelection bid during the first Basilan people’s assembly on Sunday.

“I want to make it clear… it doesn’t mean BBL is dead. That is very clear from the President,” he said.

Hataman said he informed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front of the President’s advice for him to file his COC.

“I visited and talked to them explaining the plan lest we be misunderstood… This doesn’t mean BBL is dead,” he said. “This is a sacrifice for me because once BBL is passed and ratified by January I may not be a candidate.”

He said the MILF had no doubts on the sincerity of the President to pass the BBL, adding the group understood the political dynamics.

Basilan politics

Hataman also announced the candidacy of outgoing Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar, widow of Rep. Wahab Akbar, for the lone congressional district of the province.

He said Basilan Rep. Jim Saliman would run for governor while all the incumbent mayors will run for reelection under the Liberal Party.

He said outgoing Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar, another widow of the congressman, would run for vice mayor while the son of Councilor Alquaid Akbar will run for mayor.