Aquino urged to anoint Armm guv

GROUPS representing civic and religious organizations in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) have strongly urged President Benigno Aquino III to anoint Armm officer-in-charge Governor Mujiv Hataman as the standard bearer of the Liberal Party (LP) for the 2013 election.

The appeal came as President Aquino has not yet officially announced who will be the administration’s standard bearer in Armm although three of the five provincial governors have revealed earlier this week that Hataman is the President’s choice.

The revelations about the President’s choice were made by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali and Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu following their meeting in Malacañang with the President.

The meeting, held Monday of last week, was attended by all provincial governors in Armm to include Basilan Governor Jum Akbar and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr.

“In the interest of public trust and confidence, in the exigency of quality service, and foremost of all for peace and development in Mindanao, we appeal to you Your Excellency, and call upon our constituents to allow OIC Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman to continue the integrity of leadership in the Armm by making him the Standard Bearer of your Party Your Excellency to run for the Regional Governorship in the Armm this forthcoming 2013 synchronize elections,” they stressed in an open letter addressed to the President.

A copy of the open letter was furnished to reporters in this city on Sunday, a day before the first day of the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2013 election.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has designation the period from October 1 to 5 as the date for the filing of COC for the 2013 elections.

The signatories of the open letter were: Sheikh Abdulwakil Tanjilil, Darul Ifta, Region IX and Palawan; Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, National Ulama Conference of the Philippines; Sheikh Jamal Sakaluran Munib, Ulama and Muslim Professionals Association of the Philippines; Sheikh Abdulmuhmin Mujahid, ZamBaSulTa Ulama Supreme Council; Ustanza Mona Aiyub, Al-Muhminat (Women) Organization; Raisa Ismael, United Youth of the Philippines; Meriam Abba, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society; and, Atty. Hasan Kiram, Kasajahitraan sin Kawman Bangsa Movement.

They declared that they have bind together to convey to the President “our firm commitment to continuously support the reform” in ARMM being initiated by Hataman “for open governance, integrity of leadership, quality delivery of services, and for peace and development in the region.”

“We are confident that, with your support Your Excellency, the fight against corruption, to regain the trust and confidence of our people to support their leaders as public servants not as warlords or landlords, and for moral recovery, and to continue our efforts in peacemaking and peacekeeping in Mindanao to make our people and communities free from fear and free from want, the continuation of the leadership of Hataman would pave the way to make all these a reality,” they stated in the open letter.

“We firmly believe that, insha Allah (God willing), he is the leader who could deliver what we want to happen in the Armm, as evident after his assumption to office but he needs more time to really make a difference, and so therefore Your Excellency, it is hereby resolved that we make this representation and affix our signatures herewith to formally endorse Hataman as our choice in the name of open governance, peace and prosperity in Mindanao,” they added.