Inventory of ARMM funds, properties ongoing

COTABATO CITY ,Philippines  – The newly organized transition committee of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has started its extensive inventory of funds, manpower and properties of all regional offices to be turned over to government-appointed caretakers on Sept. 30, regional officials said.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, the ARMM’s outgoing executive secretary, said they will also submit to the incoming officers-in-charge (OICs) comprehensive narratives of problems and constraints they are to face during their two-year stewardship of the region.

“We guarantee Malacañang there shall be a smooth, peaceful, orderly transition of power from the outgoing elected officials to the incoming officials appointed by the President,” Sinarimbo said.

President Aquino, by legal implication of the law that reset to 2013 the ARMM’s supposed Aug. 8 polls, will appoint an OIC regional governor, vice governor, and 24 members of the Regional Assembly, to perform caretaker duties until the election of a regular set of officials in 2013.

Sinarimbo said their inventory of all properties, manpower and money kept in the coffers of the regional governor’s office and all devolved line agencies and support offices involves state auditors and is open to the media.

ARMM insiders said they are uncertain yet on who President Aquino will appoint as the region’s OIC governor.