Ampatuan, Hussin working on smooth transition of power

COTABATO CITY — Incoming Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and outgoing Gov. Parouk Hussin have agreed to form their respective "transition committees" to work out a peaceful and smooth turnover of the regional leadership on Sept. 30.

Incumbent ARMM Trade and Industry Secretary Ishak Mastura said Ampatuan and Hussin had a brief talk in Manila early this week on the initial arrangements for the transition.

Talk is rife that Hussin, who withdrew from his bid for a second term shortly before the Aug. 8 regional elections, will be appointed by President Arroyo to a diplomatic post in the Middle East.

Mastura, legal counsel and political adviser of the 37-year-old Ampatuan, said the transition committee of the incoming administration is composed of planners, researchers and auditors who will, at the same time, come out with a study on possible solutions to immediate concerns the newly elected governor will be facing upon his assumption into office.

"We ought to thank outgoing Gov. Hussin for his readiness to help ensure a smooth transition in the regional leadership," Mastura told The STAR.

Mastura said Ampatuan, who ran for ARMM governor under the banner of Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the administration party, is focused on streamlining all aspecs of the regional bureaucracy to make it efficient in delivering basic services to all component areas of the autonomous region.

The ARMM covers Marawi City, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, both in Central Mindanao, and the island-provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Ampatuan and ARMM Vice Gov. Ansarudin Adiong were both supposed to take their oaths of office at Malacañang last Thursday, but the event was postponed due to Mrs. Arroyo’s hectic schedule.

Ampatuan said he has been reaching out to his political rivals since last week as part of his reconciliation thrust so his socio-economic programs could take off without delay.

"The election is over so we must all forget the animosity, if there was any, that separated us during the campaign period. We must unite now and work together in fostering peace and sustainable development in the ARMM," Ampatuan told The STAR via mobile phone.