MILF denies endorsing OICs in ARMM

CAMP DARAPANAN, Maguindanao ,Philippines  – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front denied rumors and text messages it has endorsed certain personalities as officers-in-charge (OICs) in the positions to be vacated by outgoing elected officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. 

In an e-mailed statement, the MILF central committee said it has not recommended any politician or private individual for President Aquino’s designation as OICs.

The bill that reset the Aug. 8 ARMM elections to 2013, which Senate approved Monday, also empowers President Aquino to appoint OICs for governor, vice governor and members of the 24-seat Regional Assembly when the term of elected regional officials end on Sept. 30.

The MILF said they recognize that the selection of prospective candidates for OICs for the ARMM’s executive and legislative departments is an internal activity of the government.

“The MILF until now not do not recognize the ARMM as a solution to the quest of Muslims in Mindanao for peace and development through self-determination and self-rule so how can the MILF endorse someone to become an OIC of an outfit is has long been rejecting? That is so impossible,” the MILF statement added. 

The MILF issued the denial in reaction to reports that there is a signature campaign for former Anak Mindanao party-list repressentative Mujiv Hataman to be appointed OIC of the autonomous region.  

Local officials in Basilan, however denied having endorsed Hataman, who lost in his bid for governor of the island province in last year’s elections.

“It’s too early, too premature to sign endorsements. We have another person in mind to endorse,” a local official in Basilan told reporters via text message.

A mayor, who asked not to be identified, said local leaders in Basilan would only talk about their choice as OIC if asked by Malacañang in a dialogue.

Sulu Gov. Hadji Sakur Tan said it is essential for all five provincial governors and more than a hundred municipal mayors in the autonomous region to meet with Palace officials to discuss about their recommendations on who could possibly be qualified to become OIC as ARMM governor. 

Roderick Furigay, mayor of Lamitan City added that mayors should first hold a caucus and discuss in the spirit of amity and political solidarity, their sentiments and views on who they could possibly endorse as caretakers.

“Now is the time for us, mayors in our province, to have one voice to show that we support President Aquino’s plan to overhaul the ARMM for it to become a very efficient governing mechanism,” Furigay said. “We need to have an OIC who enjoys the trust and confidence of all local executives in the region.”

The Moro National Liberation Front, which signed a peace pact with government on Sept. 2, 1996, said it has chosen one from its ranks but opted to stay silent about it for now.

“This is best discussed silently, sensibly with people in Malacañang, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process first,” said Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, chairman of the most dominant of four factions in the MNLF.

Sema said they are also leaving it up to the President to decide on who would become OIC-governor for ARMM.

“But we’re confident President Aquino will also listen to the people of ARMM and consider their sentiments on the issue. Everything now lies in the hands of the President,” Sema said.