DILG: 60 applicants for ARMM OIC posts

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 60 individuals, including nine political personalities, have applied to be officers-in-charge (OICs) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) transition team for 21 months or until the midterm elections on May 2013.

Records from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) showed there are eight applicants for vice regional governor, 18 for OIC regional legislative assembly in Basilan, 22 in Lanao del Sur’s first district, and 13 for the second district.

There were 12 applicants as OIC in the regional legislative assembly for Maguindanao’s first district and 14 in the second district. There were 13 candidates in Sulu’s first district, 11 applicants for the second district and another 12 applicants for the lone district of Tawi-Tawi.

In the list, which the DILG submitted to the National Movement for Free Elections, are former Maguindanao Rep. Datu Didagen “Digs” Dilangalen, former Indanan mayor Alvarez Isnaji, former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar, former MILF spokesman Mustapha “Eid” Kabalu, former North Cotabato governor Pax Mangudadatu and former Sultan Kudarat mayor Datu Tucao Ahmad Mastura.

Even Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu and Cotabato City Vice Mayor Datu Muslimin Sema applied for the top position of the transition team. But Sema is likely to be disqualified since Cotabato City is outside ARMM.

DILG records also showed the name of former Anak Mindanao party-list representative Mujiv Hataman, who was listed twice as Mujib Hataman and Hataman Mujiv.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said they did not extend the Aug. 26 deadline for the submission of applications for the 26 OICs in ARMM. He said the OIC posts to be filled up are regional governor, regional vice governor and 24 members of the ARMM regional legislative assembly.

Robredo said the DILG, which is also a member of the screening committee for the ARMM-OIC, will give due preference to applicants and nominees who have no intention to run for any elective position in the next ARMM elections.

The screening committee will conduct an assessment of all candidates from Sept. 1 to 11, and come up with a shortlist of three potential candidates for each position who will be subjected to media interviews for public scrutiny.

The three applicants to be shortlisted in every position will be ranked and endorsed separately to the Senate president and House speaker, who in turn will submit their respective recommendations for approval and signature of President Aquino.

The President will then make the necessary announcements.