Muslim groups back Pangarungan for ARMM OIC

MANILA, Philippines - Civil societies in Muslim Mindanao have pushed for the appointment of former Lanao del Sur governor Saidamen Pangarungan as officer-in-charge (OIC) of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The National Muslim Peace and Order Council (NMPOC) is supporting Pangarungan, whom the group said “possesses all the qualifications on education, work experience, accomplishments and integrity” needed for the top position in the ARMM.

Pangarungan, who also served as deputy secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, is reportedly one of the three remaining bets in President Aquino’s shortlist. The other two are former Anak Mindanao party-list representative Mujiv Hataman and Muslim leader Macabangkit Lanto.

Lanto, for his part, met with reporters to discuss his platform of government if he would be appointed OIC of the ARMM.

“If appointed OIC-governor of the ARMM by President Aquino, I will commit myself fully to implementing the needed reforms and I will not run for the same position in May 2013,” Lanto said.

“I challenge the other aspirants to the post to make the same public pledge.”

Lanto said he is banking on his qualification to get the nod of Aquino, since he has good academic records, enough experience and performance in government offices, and integrity.

If appointed, Lanto vowed to initiate reforms to eradicate graft and corruption by filing charges against ARMM officials named in the Commission on Audit (COA) report on the missing P2 billion.

Lanto said he would ask the Department of Justice to form a team to speed up the case against the ARMM officials linked to the graft and corruption.

Lanto also vowed to stop cash advances, reconstitute the Bids and Awards Committee, promote transparency, activate and make sure pre-audit functions are done before any transaction. “There should also be a reshuffle of COA personnel in ARMM.”

He said he would activate regional peace and order committee, which should have a larger role in pursuing peace in the region. He added there must be an inventory of firearms and dismantling of private armed groups.

“I know this is a Herculean task, knowing the culture of guns in the lives of Moros,” Lanto declared.

On the other hand, NMPOC chair Datu Amerol Ambiong sent a letter to President Aquino, appealing that Pangarungan is “the most qualified Muslim aspirant with proven record of accomplishments as prescribed under the screening guidelines in Executive Order No. 51 who can implement the much-needed reforms and development in ARMM.” – With Cecille Suerte Felipe