Hataman takes oath as ARMM's OIC gov

MANILA, Philippines - Former Anak Mindanao party-list representative Mujiv Hataman took his oath yesterday as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the transition team of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) until the 2013 elections.

President Aquino swore in Hataman at Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Lacierda said Hataman was chosen based on the recommendation of a search committee led by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

“He is a former congressman and he knows the politics and the people in ARMM. We believe that he could be a person who can advance the reforms in ARMM,” Lacierda said.

He said the President instructed Hataman to ensure the implementation of much-needed reforms in the Muslim region.

“The reason why we went for a synchronization...in the ARMM is to make sure that all the excesses of the past, all the corruption be eradicated and make sure that ARMM – as envisioned by the framers of the Constitution, by the lawmakers who drafted the Organic Act – would really push to advance the welfare of the people of the ARMM,” Lacierda said.

Hataman will assume office on Thursday after a simple turnover ceremony at the ARMM main office in the Shariff Kabunsuan complex in Cotabato City.