ARMM POLLS More bets expected to beat today’s deadline

COTABATO CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) expects dozens more of aspirants for governor, vice governor and assemblymen of the expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to beat today’s deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Nov. 26 regional polls.

Lawyer Clarita Callar, Region 12 director of the Comelec, said their offices here and in Marawi City, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur will be open until midnight to receive COCs.

Apart from Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, the expanded ARMM is composed of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Marawi City.

Since Sunday, various sectors in Central Mindanao have been calling on President Arroyo to verify if Dr. Farrouk Hussein, whom she picked as her gubernatorial bet, is qualified to run.

Sources from the local Muslim community said Mrs. Arroyo should order a check on Hussein’s background amid reports alleging that he has a dual citizenship, is not a registered voter in the ARMM, and has not even filed his latest income tax returns to a collecting agency of the regional government.

Last week, Mrs. Arroyo announced that Hussein, a member of the Council of 15, the new central leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front, will be the administration candidate for ARMM governor.

Hussein, according to sources, returned to the country, after a very long exile abroad, only when government and MNLF negotiators were about to wrap up the peace agreement signed on Sept. 2, 1996.

Hussein could not be reached for comment as of press time.

However, Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, MNLF secretary-general, said he is certain that Hussein has met all of the Comelec’s criteria.

"Besides, there was a committee that carefully screened, in collaboration with Malacañang, those who were considered by President Arroyo (as possible administration candidate)," he said.