Hussin finally takes over as ARMM governor

COTABATO CITY — Gov. Parouk Hussin of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) finally took office yesterday, eight days ahead of his supposed installation by President Arroyo.

In a dialogue with the ARMM’s rank and file, Hussin, accompanied by Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process Nabil Tan, said his main focus now is an extensive audit of the region’s fiscal and property resources.

"This will enable us to know what is there to be placed under our full responsibility," he said.

Hussin, who belongs to the "Council of 15," the new central leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), said concerned agencies will also be tasked to audit the accountabilities of all outgoing regional officials.

"If the Commission on Audit will find out that they have withdrawn funds from their offices despite my order to freeze all remaining funds of all departments and support offices, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," he said.

Career employees of the governor’s office and agencies devolved to the regional government said Hussin’s takeover of the regional leadership was vital in booting out the region’s recalcitrant caretaker, Speaker Alvarez Isnaji.

Isnaji has been the subject of criticism lately for refusing to vacate, until yesterday, the region’s highest post which he occupied since the last week of November merely on holdover basis.

Hussin said he will announce on Jan. 5, during President Arroyo’s visit to Cotabato City and Maguindanao, the members of his Cabinet.