What's in a name: ARMM as ARSP?

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- A high-ranking official of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) proposed yesterday a change in the name of the region to "Autonomous Region in Southern Philippines."

Lawyer Randolph Parcasio, ARMM executive secretary, said a change in the name of the regional government would ease the opposition of non-Muslims to their inclusion in the expanded regional government.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., chairman of the Senate committee on local government, however, expressed doubt on the feasibility of such a proposal.

Pimentel noted that the Constitution spoke only of an Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and he expressed doubt whether this could be changed without amending the Charter.

"They already have problems running the affairs of ARMM in the four provinces (Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao). What assurances do they have that they can tackle more provinces of diverse cultures and political orientations?" he asked.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, a member of Pimentel's committee, said any discussion on the ARMM expansion should include the constitutional call for homogeneity.

He noted that some provinces sought to be included in the expanded ARMM do not recognize the Shariah Law, which is recognized in the autonomous region.

"Once a province is included in the ARMM, will it also embrace the Shariah Law, the teachings of the Koran, the use of Arabic language?" Biazon asked.

This came as several residents of Palawan and this city expressed strong opposition to their inclusion in the expanded ARMM.

David Ponce, dean of the Palawan State University's College of Law, said the Constitution spoke of people sharing common cultural and religious traits to constitute the ARMM.

"The people of Palawan have nothing in common with the people of Lanao, Sulu, Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi," De Leon said.

He noted that 98 percent of the people of Palawan voted against their inclusion in the ARMM in previous plebiscites, and he predicted that an equal percentage would turn out against the revival of the proposal.

Meanwhile, Pimentel said neither the Estrada administration nor the Senate is seeking the inclusion of Palawan in the expanded ARMM.

"We are merely implementing an agreement signed in Jakarta in 1996 and in Tripoli in 1976. Now, whether the people of Palawan and Puerto Princesa City want to join is a matter that is completely left to them to decide in the upcoming plebiscite," he said.