It's definite: Hataman to seek ARMM gubernatorial post

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Acting Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman said yesterday he is definitely running for governor under the Liberal Party.

Hataman said he reached the decision after consultations with his family, supporters and political benefactors.

Hataman said his decision was in response to mounting clamor for him to seek a mandate as a duly elected ARMM governor to enable him to continue the reforms he has introduced in the regional bureaucracy.

Hataman said his running mate is Haroun Alrashid Lucman, who has just resigned as ARMM local government secretary. The two are filing their certificates of candidacy today.

He said it took him some time to decide on whether to run or not. “I don’t decide on my own on political matters involving myself. I consulted first many people, including my superiors in the Liberal Party and President Aquino,” he said.

More than 50 cause-oriented groups and civil society organizations earlier had endorsed Hataman’s candidacy as ARMM governor.

Aquino appointed Hataman officer-in-charge of the autonomous region last December, after the ARMM polls were postponed and synchronized with the 2013 midterm elections.