ARMM gov promises smooth transition after BOL plebiscite

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Updated 5:33 p.m.) — Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman on Wednesday promised a smooth transition Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao even as official results of the plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law have yet to be announced.

Hataman, who left Basilan for Cotabato City, the seat of the ARMM regional government, on Wednesday, said he will be sitting with the leadership of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to discuss next steps for the region.

Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, a Bangsamoro Transition Authority will act as an interim government during the transition period between ratification by plebiscite and the first elections in the new region.

"The Moro Islamic Liberation Front shall lead the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, without prejudice to the participation of the Moro National Liberation Front in its membership," the law also says.

The 80 members of the transition authority will be appointed by the president.

READ: MILF's Murad to head Bangsamoro transition government

Most voters in the ARMM — except in Sulu province — voted in favor of ratifying the BOL. The Commission on Election has yet to officially proclaim the results pending the receipt of election returns from boards of canvassers in the polling areas.

"We will ensure that there will be a smooth transition. We have been prepared for this because we were aware there will be plebiscite, which just concluded and where a majority of the people decided in favor," Hataman said.

According to Hataman, they will be working with the Moro Islamic-Liberation Front (MILF)- led BTA for the transition. 

'BARMM will inherit improved ARMM'

"We should remember everything has an end and I believe this is the end of the ARMM, which we are proud to say has been rehabilitated and improved under my watch. So we should support this coming government of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao," Hataman said.

The ARMM executive said it would be presumptuous to say if the future BARMM government will be successful, saying the success or failure of the ARMM was also uncertain the region was created.

"We have already institutionalized ARMM and the coming government of BARMM will have even bigger funding, so they could do development programs even more than what my administration did," Hataman said.

The regional governor also encouraged the public to keep a close watch on the new BARMM government and help scrutinize its programs to ensure the success of the new region. He added he hopes the new government will be filled with the most qualified people.

"I am hoping this will be done by the leadership of the BTA because their success will be the success of this process or their failure will be the failure of all not only of the Bangsamoro people but the entire nation," Hataman said.